Tuesday, May 5, 2026

2026 Licking County Republican Primary — Live Results

Licking County Commissioner, statewide, and federal races. Updated as Licking County Board of Elections reports precincts.

Final Unofficial Results
Last updated: May 5, 2026 9:32 PM ET — FINAL UNOFFICIAL — 96 of 96 Election Day precincts complete — Source: Licking County Board of Elections, Ohio Secretary of State, Newark Advocate, AP
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Polls open today, 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM ET

Find your precinct and ballot at the Licking County Board of Elections. Bring a valid Ohio photo ID. First unofficial returns post starting around 7:45 PM ET; full results typically by 10:00 PM ET. Mark and the team will be tracking returns live — refresh this page tonight.

Our Race — Licking County Commissioner

Licking County Commissioner — Republican Primary

Republican
✓ Mark A. Van Buren 25 Yrs Twp Trustee 7,065 43.2%
Bill Bogantz 6,370 39.0%
Jeff Rath 1,416 8.7%
Gregory Smith 996 6.1%
James Snedden Jr. 504 3.1%
96 of 96 precincts reporting — FINAL
Official source: Licking County Board of Elections  |  Ohio Secretary of State

Other Licking County ballot results from May 5, 2026 that touch on county-level fiscal decisions the next commissioner will face. Same source and timestamp as the commissioner race above.

Newark City — Income Tax 0.5% Additional

Failed
✓ Against (No) — 56.5%
For (Yes) — 43.5%
May 5, 2026 9:32 PM ET — FINAL UNOFFICIAL — Second consecutive defeat (also failed November 2025)

Licking County Transit Board — Sales Tax 0.15%

Failed
✓ Against (No) — 57.5%
For (Yes) — 42.5%
May 5, 2026 9:32 PM ET — FINAL UNOFFICIAL

Hanover Township — 1-Mill Renewal

Passed
✓ Approved by voters — Pass
May 5, 2026 9:32 PM ET — FINAL UNOFFICIAL

Homer Township Fire — 5-Mill Renewal

Passed
✓ Approved by voters — Pass
May 5, 2026 9:32 PM ET — FINAL UNOFFICIAL
Full county ballot: Licking County Board of Elections
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Ohio statewide primary results
Governor, US House (incl. OH-12), and other statewide offices on the May 5, 2026 ballot. Will populate here as the Ohio Secretary of State and AP report.

Statewide official source: Ohio Secretary of State Election Results

Official Results

LCBE Licking County Board of ElectionsPer-precinct unofficial returns → OH SOS Ohio Secretary of StateStatewide official results →

Local News

NA Newark AdvocateElection night coverage → 10TV 10TV WBNS ColumbusCentral Ohio results → CD Columbus DispatchStatewide reporting →

Wire & National

AP Associated Press — OhioRace calls + statewide aggregation →

Mark on Social

FB Mark Van Buren on FacebookElection day updates + thank-yous →