DeBoth Secures Bid for Auditor’s Seat as Election is Certified

May 22, 2026 by Staff Report

Newcomer Joe DeBoth officially won the Republican nomination for Geauga County auditor May 22 after the Geauga County Board of Elections counted provisional ballots and certified the May 5 primary election results.

DeBoth received 5,999 votes to incumbent Chuck Walder’s 5,995, preserving the four-vote margin that left the race undecided on election night, according to the final official results.

DeBoth thanked the board of elections for its work during the certification process.

“The process was proven, I would say, solid,” he said.

DeBoth also thanked supporters, family and community members.

When asked about Walder, DeBoth praised the auditor’s service.

“Hopefully, I can pick up his legacy and perform at par, if not better,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with him on a transition plan.”

Because of the race’s narrow margin, an automatic recount is required unless Walder chooses to waive it. As of the May 22 board meeting, the recount is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 28.

The precincts selected for recount were Newbury Township C, Burton Village, Auburn Township D and Russell Township E. Board members selected the precincts at random from a container during the meeting. 

“In reflecting on the provisional ballot adjustment to the election results, with a margin of approximately 0.03%, I believe we should allow the election process to run its full and intended course without placing undue weight on projected statistical outcomes or outside pressure to shortcut the standard procedure,” Walder said later in the afternoon. “The integrity of the process is best preserved by allowing the established review and certification procedures to unfold as designed, without optional waivers or unnecessary acceleration. In the broader scope of things, I believe it’s crucial to allow the full process to work.”