Hardin County

Hardin County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

44 candidates are tracked across 29 Hardin County races for the 2026 election, led by the Hardin County Property Valuation Administrator contest. Preview your Hardin County, Kentucky sample ballot for 2026: browse tracked local races, then enter your ZIP code to confirm which districts and offices appear on your exact ballot.

These race previews show candidates we’re tracking now. A ZIP code shows your statewide and congressional races; a street address adds county and city contests.
Enter your ZIP code at theballotbrief.com to see your exact 2026 ballot.

Local Snapshot

Election DayNov. 3, 2026
StateKentucky
Races Listed29
Profiles44

Hardin County Sample Ballot 2026: Races We’re Tracking

Local races are address-specific. This guide previews tracked contests, while the lookup tool narrows the list to a voter’s exact address. Tap any name to see the race, full candidate profiles, and everything else on your exact ballot. Kentucky party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition, and the field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list (web.sos.ky.gov/CandidateFilings). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates; declared write-in candidates never print. Kentucky elects its statewide constitutional officers in odd-numbered years, so no governor or row-office race is on this ballot; county officers (judge/executive, clerk, sheriff, attorney, jailer, magistrates, PVA and coroner) run in 2026 and file with county clerks.

Casey Overstreet (Republican), Kristofor King (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Property Valuation Administrator, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Casey Overstreet · Republican
    Casey Overstreet co-owns Bluegrass Inks and describes himself as "a numbers guy," according to The News-Enterprise. Overstreet won a three-way Republican primary in the open Property Valuation Administrator seat after longtime incumbent Danny Hutcherson decided not to seek reelection. Overstreet faces Democrat Kristofor King in the November general election. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Kristofor King · Democratic
    King is a Vine Grove resident, per The News-Enterprise. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Keith Taul (Republican), J.J. Duvall (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Judge/Executive, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Keith Taul · RepublicanIncumbent
    Keith Taul is the sitting Hardin County Judge/Executive, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • J.J. Duvall · Democratic
    Duvall currently serves as Mayor of Radcliff, elected to one four-year term, per The News-Enterprise. Duvall is making a second bid for Hardin County judge/executive, per The News-Enterprise. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Brian D. Smith (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Clerk, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Brian D. Smith · RepublicanIncumbent
    Brian D. Smith is the sitting Hardin County Clerk, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Donald C. Jones (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Attorney, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Donald C. Jones · Republican
    Donald C. Jones has about 20 years of experience as a prosecutor in Hardin County, including 13 years as First Assistant, per the campaign site. Jones is running for Hardin County Attorney, per the campaign site.
    Priorities: Maintaining high standards to hold criminals accountable · Continuing advocacy for domestic violence victims and abused or neglected children · Developing new approaches for people with mental illness and addiction while maintaining community safety (per the campaign site)

Willie Oden (Republican), John Ward (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Sheriff, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Willie Oden · Republican
    Willie Oden is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major who served as a heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic and Military Police officer, per his campaign site. He has lived in Hardin County for 27 years and is an active member of the Elizabethtown Lions Club, per his campaign site, and won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary in Sheriff over Brian C. Sankey, per the county's official primary results.
    Priorities: Build stronger partnerships between law enforcement and the community · Make the Sheriff's Office more transparent, accessible and responsive · Support crime victims and start a Sheriff's Explorers youth mentorship program (per the campaign site)
  • John Ward · DemocraticIncumbent
    John Ward is the sitting Hardin County Sheriff, per the county's official elected-officials page. His Democratic candidacy for reelection in November 2026 is reported by secondary sources but was not independently confirmed against an official Hardin County candidate-filing document within this agent's search budget. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Robert Reynolds (Republican), Josh "Big Josh" Lindblom (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Jailer, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Robert Reynolds · Republican
    Robert Reynolds appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Jailer, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Josh "Big Josh" Lindblom · Democratic
    Lindblom is the sitting Hardin County Jailer, per Hardin County government. Lindblom serves as president of the Kentucky Jailers Association Board of Directors, representing Hardin County, per Kentucky Jailers Association. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Pat Elmore (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Coroner, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Pat Elmore · RepublicanIncumbent
    Pat Elmore is the sitting Hardin County Coroner, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Eric Spurrier (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Surveyor, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Eric Spurrier · Republican
    Spurrier is from Elizabethtown, per the county clerk's candidate filings. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Walter D. Meinshausen (Republican), Chris Yates (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 1, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Walter D. Meinshausen · Republican
    Walter D. Meinshausen appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 1, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Chris Yates · DemocraticIncumbent
    Chris Yates is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 1, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Kenny Saltsman (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 2, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Kenny Saltsman · DemocraticIncumbent
    Kenny Saltsman is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 2, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Patsy Whitehead (Republican), E. Spencer Keck (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 3, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Patsy Whitehead · RepublicanIncumbent
    Patsy Whitehead is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 3, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • E. Spencer Keck · Democratic
    Keck filed for the District 3 magistrate seat in early December 2025, per The News-Enterprise. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Fred Clem Jr. (Republican), Travis Leffew (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 4, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Fred Clem Jr. · RepublicanIncumbent
    Fred Clem Jr. is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 4, per the county's official elected-officials page. He won renomination over Christy Gordon in the May 19, 2026 Republican-line primary, per the county's official primary results. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Travis Leffew · Democratic
    Leffew is a newcomer to seeking public office, per The News-Enterprise. Leffew has managed more than $2.1 million in state Medicaid funding and passed state-level audits, per The News-Enterprise. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Aaron Pennington (Republican), Jim Becker (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 5, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Aaron Pennington · RepublicanIncumbent
    Aaron Pennington is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 5, per the county's official elected-officials page. He won renomination over Wayne M. Ray in the May 19, 2026 primary, per the county's official primary results. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Jim Becker · Democratic
    Becker is an attorney, per The News-Enterprise. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

William Jason Buckles (Republican), Frederick Jerome Thomas (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 6, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • William Jason Buckles · Republican
    Buckles is a Glendale resident, per The News-Enterprise. Buckles served two terms in the student senate at Eastern Kentucky University and has not previously held public office, per The News-Enterprise. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Frederick Jerome Thomas · Democratic
    Frederick Jerome Thomas appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 6, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Larry Allen Hicks (Republican), Stephen Mapp (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 7, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Larry Allen Hicks · RepublicanIncumbent
    Larry Allen Hicks is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 7, per the county's official elected-officials page. He won renomination in a three-way May 19, 2026 primary, per the county's official primary results. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Stephen Mapp · Democratic
    Stephen Mapp appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 7, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Kenny Muse (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Magistrate, District 8, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Kenny Muse · RepublicanIncumbent
    Kenny Muse is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 8, per the county's official elected-officials page. He narrowly won renomination over Jonathan Breeding in the May 19, 2026 primary, by two votes, per the county's official primary results. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Barry W. Craig (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 2, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Barry W. Craig · Democratic
    Craig is from Radcliff, per the county clerk's candidate filings. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

John Bays (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 3, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • John Bays · Republican
    Bays is from Elizabethtown, per the county clerk's candidate filings. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Brandon K. Curry (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 4, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Brandon K. Curry · Republican
    Brandon K. Curry appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 4, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Brad P. Luebbert (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 5, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Brad P. Luebbert · Republican
    Brad P. Luebbert appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 5, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Nathan Myers (Republican), Sylvester Bennett (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 6, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026).

  • Nathan Myers · Republican
    Nathan Myers appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 6, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Sylvester Bennett · Democratic
    Sylvester Bennett appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 6, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Stephen Drake (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 7, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Stephen Drake · Republican
    Stephen Drake appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 7, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Donald Parrett (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 8, per the Hardin County Clerk's official current local candidates report (hccoky.org, read September 8, 2026). Kentucky prints unopposed candidates.

  • Donald Parrett · Republican
    Donald Parrett appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hardin County Constable, District 8, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Matt Deneen (Republican), Christopher Gatrost (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Kentucky Senate District 10; Matt Deneen is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster (legislature.ky.gov). Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

  • Matt Deneen · RepublicanIncumbent
    Matt Deneen
    Matt Deneen is the Republican incumbent for Kentucky Senate District 10, serving since 2023. He is a business owner in Elizabethtown, according to the Kentucky General Assembly's legislator profile. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Christopher Gatrost · Democratic
    Christopher Gatrost is the Democratic nominee for Kentucky Senate District 10, having advanced unopposed from the Democratic primary, according to Branch. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Josh Calloway (Republican), John B. Whipple (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Kentucky House District 10; Josh Calloway is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster (legislature.ky.gov). Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

  • Josh Calloway · RepublicanIncumbent
    Josh Calloway
    Josh Calloway is the Republican incumbent for Kentucky House District 10, serving since 2021. He is Director at Hope Academy and Director of Music at Pleasant View Baptist Church, according to the Kentucky General Assembly's legislator profile. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • John B. Whipple · Democratic
    John B. Whipple is the Democratic candidate for Kentucky House District 10 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings. Whipple is a military veteran and teacher running for Kentucky House District 10, per whipple.run.
    Priorities: Fully funding public schools · Protecting women's health and LGBTQ rights (per the whipple.run)

Samara Heavrin (Republican) is on the November 3 ballot for Kentucky House District 18; Samara Heavrin is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster (legislature.ky.gov). Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

  • Samara Heavrin · RepublicanIncumbent
    Samara Heavrin
    Samara Heavrin is the Republican incumbent for Kentucky House District 18, serving since 2019 and chairing the House Families & Children Committee, according to the Kentucky General Assembly's legislator profile. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Steve Bratcher (Republican), Cherlyn Evette Smith (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Kentucky House District 25; Steve Bratcher is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster (legislature.ky.gov). Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

  • Steve Bratcher · RepublicanIncumbent
    Steve Bratcher
    Steve Bratcher is the Republican incumbent for Kentucky House District 25, serving since 2023. He is Director of Technical Training at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and served in the Air Force and Kentucky Air National Guard, according to the Kentucky General Assembly's legislator profile. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Cherlyn Evette Smith · Democratic
    Cherlyn Evette Smith is the Democratic candidate for Kentucky House District 25 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings. Lists priorities including attracting new businesses and fostering a business-friendly environment, investing in crime prevention and youth outreach programs, and supporting reproductive health care access, per Branch Vote candidate platform page. Lists education priorities including increased public school funding, teacher compensation, and after-school and mentorship programs for students, per Branch Vote candidate platform page. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
    Priorities: Business-friendly environment and job creation · Crime prevention and youth outreach programs · Increased public school funding and teacher compensation (per the Branch Vote candidate platform)

Peyton Griffee (Republican) is on the November 3 ballot for Kentucky House District 26; Peyton Griffee is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster (legislature.ky.gov). Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

  • Peyton Griffee · RepublicanIncumbent
    Peyton Griffee
    Peyton Griffee is the Republican incumbent for Kentucky House District 26, serving since 2024. He is an attorney at Sweat & Griffee Law Firm and a Captain in the Army Reserve, according to the Kentucky General Assembly's legislator profile. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Susan C. Doman (Democratic), Joseph Redmon (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Kentucky House District 27. Not on the November ballot: Nancy Tate, the sitting member per the roster. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and minor-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate filings list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

  • Susan C. Doman · Democratic
    Susan C. Doman is the Democratic candidate for Kentucky House District 27, an open seat left by the retirement of Rep. Nancy Tate. She is a newcomer to elected office, according to Big I Kentucky's 2026 election preview. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
  • Joseph Redmon · Republican
    Joseph Redmon is the Republican nominee for Kentucky House District 27, an open seat left by the retirement of Rep. Nancy Tate. He is a retired member of the military and has been endorsed by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, according to Big I Kentucky's 2026 election preview. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.

Sample ballot by ZIP code in Hardin County

Each ZIP page previews the statewide and congressional races for that ZIP; add a street address in the lookup for county and city contests.

40121401604016242701427124272442732427404277642788

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Note: Use address lookup for your exact ballot; local pages preview tracked races.Profiles: Hand-verified profiles are added race by race; always confirm with the official election office linked above.