Editor’s note: This story will be updated throughout the day. The most recent updates will be placed at the top of this story.
Update on Canton Parks and Rec. levy …. A municipal levy to continue funding for Canton Parks and Recreation jumped out to an early lead and keeps running as voting results come in Nov. 4.
With 37 of 48 precincts reporting, the levy is up big with 4,130 votes, or 65%, in favor and 2,252, 35%, opposed, according to unofficial vote totals posted by the Stark County Board of Elections office.
Update on Massillon Municipal Court race …. MASSILLON ‒ Voters will place a new judge on the Massillon Municipal Court bench next year.
Andrea Scassa, a court magistrate, opened an early lead on local attorney Dan Funk in results from pre-Election Day voting. Those ballots had Scassa topping Funk by a 69% to 31% margin, with 3,244 combined ballots cast early, according to the Stark County Board of Elections.
The winner will take over for Judge Edward Elum, who’s retiring. Elum was elected five times and sat on the bench for 30 years.
Update on Canton Parks and Rec levy …. Early voting numbers have a levy to continue funding for Canton Parks and Recreation jumping to an early lead.
The levy is up with 1,273 votes, or 68%, in favor and 601, 32%, opposed, according to unofficial, early vote totals posted by the Stark County Board of Elections office.
Canton Parks and Recreation is seeking the replacement tax levy, so it can generate about $6.38 million a year, starting in 2027.
Update on Canton Municipal Court races …. Voters will place three judges on the Canton Municipal Court bench next year — and at least two will be new.
Canton City Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert opened a big lead on Mark T. Ostrowski, an assistant Stark County prosecutor, in results from pre-Election Day voting.
Those ballots had Erchick Gilbert besting Ostrowski by a 64% to 36% margin, with 6,427 combined ballots cast early, according to the Stark County Board of Elections.
Earle Wise Jr., a former 5th District Court of Appeals judge, opened a similar lead over sitting Judge Dennis Barr in their race. Wise led by a 62% to 38% margin, with 6,484 combined ballots cast early, according to the elections board.
Update on Louisville mayoral race.
Voters on Nov. 4 were to decide whether to stick with Mayor Pat Fallot or choose Councilman Corey Street or Nimishillen Township Zoning Inspector Jeff Shipman to succeed her.
Early returns from absentee ballots showed Street in the lead with 294 votes compared to 231 for Fallot and 27 for Shipman.
UPDATE: Polls are now closed.
Votes are now being counted by the Stark County Board of Elections.
Polls closed at 7:30 p.m.
Election Day 2025 is underway in Ohio.
That means polls across Ohio are open for voters to cast their ballots on an array of local items, including a countywide levy for the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities and numerous school issues.
Be sure to keep tabs on results through live reporting at CantonRep.com tonight, or in the Thursday, Nov. 6, print edition.
Here’s what to know as you’re heading out to vote. Stay tuned to the Canton Repository for live updates throughout Election Day.
Stark County voters talk about DD levy
Voters who cast ballots at the Foltz Community Center in East Canton had differing opinions about the countywide DD issue.
East Canton resident Earl Grove said he voted for it.
“They need money to operate,” said the 74-year-old Timken Co. retiree.
Osnaburg Township resident Patricia Michael said she voted against the additional property tax levy.
“We pay enough taxes,” said the 67-year-old who works in the bakery at the Louisville Giant Eagle. “The state needs to step up because they have all that reserve. I don’t know what they’re doing with it. If they need money, then they should be able to approach the slush fund and get money.”
Bonnie Kimble of Osnaburg Township said she voted for the levy that would pay for services for people with developmental disabilities.
“I think that’s important, an important issue,” the 76-year-old retiree said.
She knows about the services provided by the board because a late cousin was employed a workshop operated by the Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Her husband James Kimble said he voted against the levy.
“I wasn’t thinking about it,” said the 77-year-old retiree who had worked at the former J & L Specialty Steel in Louisville.
More than 35,000 Stark County residents have voted so far
Elections Director Susan Verble wrote in an email shortly after 2:30 p.m. that voting continued at a steady pace.
“As of 2:39 p.m., 36,559 voters have voted today at our 103 polling locations,” she wrote.
Are ballot selfies against the law in Ohio?
In Ohio, it’s illegal to take a ballot selfie, a photo of your ballot. However, it’s very unlikely you will be prosecuted for it.
Taking a picture of a completed ballot is a fifth-degree felony in Ohio. It carries a $2,500 fine and up to a year in prison. However, there are no records of Ohio ever enforcing the law, the Cincinnati Enquirer previously reported.
Lawmakers outlawed photos of completed ballots in 1997, the Columbus Dispatch previously reported. Why? Fears of election interference and voter intimidation.
Lawmakers were concerned employers, friends or others could force people to vote a certain way by demanding voters show photos of their completed ballot to prove how they voted.
Can I take a picture of my friend voting?
Yes. It’s something candidates do all the time, per previous Enquirer reporting. Just don’t get their ballot in the photo.
Can I wear a campaign T-shirt or hat to vote?
No. You are not allowed to campaign or try to influence another’s vote within 100 feet of a polling location. So, you can’t wear hats, T-shirts, buttons or any other paraphernalia that supports a candidate when you cast your ballot. Elections officials might ask you to cover your campaign shirt with a jacket or turn it inside out.
Massillon polling location open despite road construction
The Stark County Board of Elections says that a polling location in Massillon was open to voters despite road construction on Lake Avenue.
Verble said a board employee notified them on the morning of Nov. 4 that the road was closed in front of the First Assembly of God polling location at 325 Lake Ave. NE.
She said Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz was told about the situation and posted a police officer to ensure voter access. Verble said no voters have complained about being unable to reach the polling location.
By afternoon, the road construction on Lake Avenue had ended, Verble wrote in an email. Both the Massillon Police Department and Stark County Sheriff’s Office were on site to assist.
Early election process going ‘very well’ in Stark County
“We’re all up and running,” said Verble, who added that operations were going “very well.”
As of 7:20 a.m., 2,718 people had voted in person. Verble said the number was normal for this election cycle.
How many people have already voted in Stark County?
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose released the final update on early voting on Nov. 3.
The Absentee and Early Voting Data Dashboard shows that 10,914 people voted early in Stark County — with 3,597 absentee ballots returned and 7,317 people voting early in person.
Democrats were more likely to vote early. The data showed about 4,800 Democrats have voted, compared to about 4,000 Republicans and 2,100 independent voters. The vast majority of those voters — about 7,000 — were 65 years old and older.
“From voter registration information to absentee and early voting data, Ohio continues to set the standard for election transparency,” LaRose said in a prepared statement. “For Ohioans planning to cast their ballot on Election Day, visit VoteOhio.gov to view your sample ballot or confirm your polling location, and remember to bring your photo ID and a smile.”
Where’s my polling place?
Voters can cast ballots at their local precinct. Check the Stark County Board of Elections’ website to find your polling place.
Registered voters can see a sample ballot for Stark County here.
When do polls close?
Polls close at 7:30 p.m. across Stark County. Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. can still cast ballots.
What do I need to vote?
Ohio voters must bring an unexpired photo ID. The following are acceptable forms of ID:
Voters who do not bring a valid photo ID can cast a provisional ballot.
What’s on the Stark County ballot?
Stark County voters will decide on a countywide issue and local city, village and township races.
To view a sample ballot, visit the Stark County Board of Elections website and click “show me my ballot” located in the top carousel.
Can I still return an absentee ballot?
You or a close relative can still return your absentee ballot to the Stark County Board of Elections.
Absentee ballots must be dropped off to the elections board drop box, located at 3525 Regent Ave NE in Canton, before 7:30 p.m. today when polls close.
When will results come in?
The Stark County Board of Elections will start reporting unofficial election results after polls close at 7:30 p.m.
Early in-person and absentee ballots are the first to be counted and often among the first results reported.
Election results are considered unofficial until the Stark County Board of Elections certifies them Nov. 24.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Election Day 2025 live updates. Polls are now closed and vote counting underway
Reporting by Grace Springer and Nancy Molnar, Canton Repository / The Repository
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