School politics in Harford County are about to get a serious spotlight. Voters will pick several members of the county’s Board of Education this year, with the primary set for June 23, 2026 and the general election locked in for November 3, 2026. Contests span councilmanic Districts A through F, and the results could shift how the board handles curriculum, staffing and the search for the district’s next superintendent. Two races, in Districts D and F, are already lined up to skip the primary fight and head straight to the November ballot. Here is who is running, which races are likely to draw attention and where to find ballots and candidate info.
Who’s on the ballot
The official June ballot includes the following candidates: District A - Donna Blasdell, Shernice Shermaine Mundell and Dani Paez; District B - Keri L. Geibler, Dominic J. Heath and Christian Licier; District C - Joe Fleckenstein, Cathy Kowalewski and Shawn P. Ryan; District D - incumbent Melissa L. Hahn and Rachelle A. Johnson; District E - Aaron D. Boyle, Matt Jones and Robert S. Wagner; and District F - Joseph L. Alton Jr. and Kawaniee Flowe. These names match the Maryland State Board of Elections' official Harford County ballot, as posted by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Seats to watch
Districts D and F are the ones to keep an especially close eye on. Both are head-to-head matchups and, according to reporting from The Baltimore Sun, are already set to advance to the November ballot. The Sun also invited candidates to answer a voter-guide questionnaire, which gives residents a side-by-side look at how the hopefuls talk about classroom priorities, board governance, and what they would do with a seat at the table.
Why these races matter
The Board of Education is where key local school decisions get made. The board sets policy, hires and evaluates the superintendent, and signs off on budgets that shape class size, staffing, and the academic calendar. It has recently been in the spotlight over a superintendent search and changes to the 2026–27 school calendar, as outlined by Harford County Public Schools. Those choices, from who runs the district to when the first day of school lands, make these down-ballot races highly relevant for families, teachers, and taxpayers.
How to vote
The Maryland primary is Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and the general election is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, 2026. Voters can check a sample ballot, confirm registration, and find early-voting and Election Day locations through local and statewide election portals. For precinct maps and local notices, visit the Harford County Board of Elections. For official statewide schedules and ballot documents, use the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Where to learn more
Voters who want to dig deeper into candidates’ views have several options. The Baltimore Sun has compiled a voter guide with candidate statements and questionnaire responses, and individual campaign pages, such as those for Rachelle Johnson and Joseph Alton, post biographies and contact details. Voter-education tools like BallotReady and forums hosted by the local League of Women Voters also gather candidate answers and event listings as the June primary approaches.
