Williams County Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate/Juvenile Division)
Williams County, Ohio
My vote power
Below average
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. Decisiveness: how likely this race is to be close, based on past results or current analyst ratings, plus whether more candidates are running than there are seats.
Representation: High · 76 out of 100
This district is a small slice of its state, so each vote here carries much more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 36,719 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(11,810,293 ÷ 36,719) ÷ ln(50,000) = 76.68, measured against a statewide vote in OH (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
High representation + an uncontested race → My vote power: Below average.
About this office
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights,
Candidates
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
Karen Gallagher has been the Williams County probate and juvenile judge since late 2020, after working as a court magistrate and 32 years as a lawyer in Bryan. She wants youth held accountable while learning life skills, and more help for adults in need.
Sources: williamscountyoh.gov23 · lookup.boe.ohio.gov