COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s primary election is quickly approaching.
This election’s ballot measures include several local races and issues. Voters across the state will decide on State Issue 2, which authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund capital improvements to public infrastructure.
Election Day is May 6, with early in-person voting kicking off on April 8.
Voting dates and deadlines
The deadline for registering to vote in the May 6 election is April 7. You can register online, in person, or through the mail.
If you are registered to vote but have moved within Ohio or changed your name, you must update your voter registration by completing a new voter registration form, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
How to check your voter registration
The Secretary of State’s website allows you to check whether you’re registered to vote. Click here to go to the voter lookup area of the website. You can search using your first and last name and county.
Early voting in Ohio
Those wanting to vote before May 6 can go to their local Board of Elections building beginning April 8 to cast their ballot. Early voting runs up to Election Day.
Absentee voting
Absentee voting for those in the military and overseas began on March 21 and will last through May 5.
When do the polls open?
Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
What’s on the ballot?
Ohio Issue 2
State Issue 2, a proposed statewide amendment, seeks to fund public infrastructure capital improvements by authorizing Ohio to issue general obligation bonds. If approved, $2.5 billion in funding over ten years would be allocated to a variety of infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, sewers, and water lines.
Issue 2 was proposed by a bipartisan joint resolution of the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said. You can read the full proposed amendment here.
Races
Columbus City Council District 7
Voters may elect one candidate from the following:
- Kate Curry-Da-Souza
- Tiara Ross
- Jesse Vogel
The City of Columbus voted in 2018 to divide itself into nine districts, each represented by one council member, and increased the number of council members from seven to nine. The current council member for District 7 is Otto Beatty III.
Columbus Board of Education
Voters can elect three candidates from the following:
- Liz Caslin-Turner
- Teresa Hannah
- Patrick Katzenmeyer
- Jermaine Kennedy, Janeece Keyes
- Karrie Lumpkin
- Mounir Lynch
- Kimberley Mason
- Antoinette Miranda
- Julie Trabold
Hilliard City Council
- Samar Bazerbashi (D)
- Tina Cottone (D)
- Dorothy Hassan (D)
- Tony Moog (D)
- Kathy Parker-Jones (D)
- Nadia A. Rasul (D)
- Andy Teater (D)
Whitehall City Council Ward 2
- David F. Coleman Jr.
- Brian McCann
- Micole L. Spicer
Lancaster City Council
Council at-Large
Voters can elect four candidates from the following:
- Burt Conley
- Alayna Hoop
- Rob Knisley
- Corey Schoonover
- Michael Wing
- Bob Wolfinger
Council Ward 2
Voters may elect one candidate from the following:
- Talia Barsi
- Joe Bizjak
- Elliot E. Hall
Council Ward 5
Voters may elect one candidate from the following:
- Kristina Crites
- Ethan Dorr
Council Ward 6
Voters may elect one candidate from the following:
- Stephen Ogg
- Becky Tener
Newark City Council Ward 3
- Molly Ingold (R)
- Jeff Rath (R)
Circleville Ward 1
- Tito Duran (R)
- Jeffrey D. Hallinin (R)
Levies
Fire levies
Levies for several fire departments are on the ballot in Brown, Clinton, Franklin, Mifflin, and Washington townships.
10TV has highlighted a few of the levies in recent weeks.
Brown Township
Brown Township residents are being asked to vote on a 5.2 mill permanent fire levy. Brown and Norwich Townships have agreed that their residents will provide roughly equal funding for the Norwich Fire Department. If approved, property owners would pay $182 per year for each $100,000 of appraised property value.
Clinton Township
The Clinton Township Division of Fire has a 3.2 mill replacement levy on the ballot. It would generate an additional $20,000 per year to help cover increases in operating and supply costs, the purchase of a new medic vehicle, and the maintenance of current staffing levels. If approved, property owners would pay $92 per $100,000 of appraised value each year.
Franklin Township
The township is requesting an ongoing levy of 14.79 mills. It would raise approximately $5,502,000 to purchase and maintain equipment, appliances, and buildings for its fire department and firefighting companies. It would also be used to pay salaries and provide ambulance or emergency medical services through the department. If approved, property owners would pay $518 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Mifflin Township
The township is requesting an ongoing 1.95 mill levy. It would raise approximately $3,466,000 to purchase and maintain equipment, appliances, and buildings for its fire department and firefighting companies.
It would also be used to pay salaries and provide ambulance or emergency medical services through the department. If approved, property owners would pay $68 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Washington Township
The township is requesting a perpetual levy renewal at 8.25 mills, which would raise an estimated $18,351,000 to provide and maintain equipment, appliances, and buildings for its fire department and firefighting companies.
It would also be used to pay salaries and provide ambulance or emergency medical services through the department. If approved, property owners would pay $176 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Police levies
Several townships have also proposed police levies on the ballot, including Blendon, Hamilton, and Mifflin.
Blendon Township
The township is requesting an additional $1,400,000 levy at 4.48 mills to provide and maintain motor vehicles, communications equipment, and buildings for the police department.
It would also be used to pay salaries and provide ambulance or emergency medical services through the department. If approved, property owners would pay $157 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Hamilton Township
The township proposes a 3.75 mill levy renewal over five years to provide and maintain motor vehicles, communications, equipment, and buildings for its police department, totaling an estimated $1,465,000.
It would also be used to pay salaries and provide ambulance or emergency medical services through the department. If approved, property owners would pay $57 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Mifflin Township
The township is requesting an additional $250,000 levy at 3.48 mills to provide and maintain motor vehicles, communications equipment, and buildings for the police department.
It would also be used to pay salaries and provide ambulance or emergency medical services through the department. If approved, property owners would pay $122 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
School levies
Groveport Madison School District
The Board of Education is seeking $77,215,000 over 37 years at 2.33 mills per year to build, improve, furnish, and equip three new middle schools. If approved, property owners will pay $82 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Jonathan Adler Local School District
The district is requesting $70,625,000 over 37 years at 5.12 mills per year to build school facilities, including a new middle school, as well as to renovate, repair, expand, improve, and build additions to existing school buildings.
This includes furnishing and equipping the facilities, as well as purchasing real estate and other assets. If approved, property owners will pay $179 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Marysville Exempted Village School District
To avoid a $6,793,000 operating deficit, the school district is seeking a 5.5 mill levy over a 10-year period. If approved, property owners will pay $193 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Southwest Licking Local School District
The district proposes a $115 million bond issue over 35 years at 4.2 mills to build school facilities, including a new middle school, expand high school parking, and fund a training facility and aquatic center. If approved, property owners will pay $12.25 per $100,000 in appraised value.
Teays Valley Local School District
The district is seeking $64,390,000 over 37 years at 3.26 mills to build school facilities, including two new schools. This includes furnishing and equipping the facilities, as well as purchasing real estate and other assets. If approved, property owners will pay $114.10 per $100,000 home each year.
Walnut Township Local School District
The district is proposing a five-year tax levy renewal at 4 mills, which would generate an estimated $1,000,000 per year to fund its emergency needs. If approved, property owners will pay $140 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
Lockbourne — Proposed income tax
If approved, the income tax rate would be increased by 1.5%, for a total of 2.5%.
Delaware County District Library
The Delaware County District Library proposes a 15-year additional tax levy at 1 mill to generate approximately $10,500,000 for current expenses. If approved, property owners will pay $35 for every $100,000 in appraised value.
