Hardin County, Kentucky

Hardin County Magistrate, District 1

Meinshausen and Yates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Hardin County election filings.

About this race

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).

What this office does

Justice of the peace. Justices of the peace handle the lowest-level court matters: small claims, evictions, traffic and minor criminal cases, and, in some states, marriages and inquests. The office is part of the judiciary, so candidates are limited in what they may promise.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Chris Yates, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Kentucky › Hardin County › Hardin County Magistrate, District 1

Walter D. Meinshausen

Republican

Biography

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 was found as of September 8, 2026.

Chris Yates

DemocraticIncumbent

Biography

Chris Yates is the sitting Hardin County Magistrate for District 1, per the county's official elected-officials page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotHardin County Magistrate, District 2

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Hardin County Magistrate, District 1 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Hardin County Magistrate, District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Walter D. Meinshausen and Chris Yates. Candidate information follows official Hardin County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Hardin County Magistrate, District 1 election in Kentucky?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Kentucky are on the Kentucky election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hardin County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hardin County and state election office filings, last verified October 14, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Kentucky election office, or see the full Hardin County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hardin County ballot

34 tracked races in Hardin County, Kentucky. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Hardin County Magistrate, District 3 Hardin County Magistrate, District 4 Hardin County Magistrate, District 5 See all 34 Hardin County races

Candidate profiles

Walter D. Meinshausen, full profile Chris Yates, full profile Official Kentucky election office