Eric Lochtefeld Appointed to Mercer County Board of Elections

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Mercer County, Ohio – Eric Lochtefeld, a longtime public servant, technology manager, and community advocate, has been appointed to the Mercer County Board of Elections. The appointment was made following a unanimous vote to recommend by the Mercer County Democratic Executive Committee and subsequent appointment by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. 

Lochtefeld will succeed Craig Klopfleisch, who did not seek reappointment. The Mercer County Democratic Party extends our deepest gratitude to Craig for his dedicated service to the Board of Elections over the past decade. Since his appointment in 2015, Craig’s commitment to ensuring fair and free elections has been instrumental in strengthening both the party and the Mercer County community.

Throughout his tenure, Klopfleisch brought invaluable expertise and professionalism to the Board, overseeing key decisions that have shaped the county’s electoral process. From hiring new clerks and implementing enhanced training programs for election staff, to facilitating the acquisition of new voting machines and electronic pollbooks, Craig’s leadership has ensured the Board remains adaptive to the evolving landscape of election security and technology, paving the way for the future.

Eric Lochtefeld will bring a wealth of experience to the Board, having served as a Precinct Election Official since 2016, working closely with the Board of Elections and Celina’s Voting Location Manager at the county’s largest polling location. He has participated in critical processes such as Logic and Accuracy testing on voting equipment and assisting with the setup of voting equipment across multiple locations. His extensive experience with election procedures has provided him with valuable insight into the intricacies of ensuring fair, free, and secure elections.

In addition to his election administration work, Lochtefeld served a term on Celina City Council from 2020 to 2023. His time in office deepened his understanding of Ohio’s Sunshine Laws, while reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. He has served as treasurer for multiple campaigns and is well-versed in campaign finance reporting, a key responsibility of the Board of Elections.

Professionally, Lochtefeld has spent over a decade managing technology operations for Mercer County District Libraries, overseeing network and hardware management for multiple locations. As owner of Lochte Technology Ltd. he has valuable experience working on projects for nonprofits and community-focused organizations. Lochtefeld’s deep commitment to the community is further evident through his board membership and volunteer work with the 4-H Youth, Our Home Family Resource Center, and the Mercer County Marshallese Coalition.

“I am excited to bring my experience, passion for public service, and collaborative spirit to the Board of Elections,” said Lochtefeld. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to ensure the continued integrity and transparency of Mercer County’s elections.”

Each county's Board of Elections consists of four members: two from each of the two major political parties. These members are appointed by the Ohio Secretary of State, typically based on recommendations from the county executive committees of the respective parties. Board members serve staggered four-year terms, with terms beginning on the first day of March in odd-numbered years. Eric Lochtefeld will join Democrat Phil Long and Republicans Toni Slusser and Del Kramer on the Board. 

Lochtefeld’s appointment to the Mercer County Board of Elections represents a valuable addition to the team, with his diverse skill set, background in public service, and commitment to the community. His leadership will help ensure the county remains a model of election integrity and civic engagement.