More than 25 issues will dominate the local ballot in the November general election.
“There’s something for everyone,” said Matt Finfgeld, director of the Richland County Board of Elections. “Hopefully, it helps drive the turnout.”
Several municipalities have more than one issue for voters to consider. In Madison Township, residents will decide a 2.5-mill, five-year additional levy for the fire department. They also will consider a 4-mill, five-year additional levy for streets, roads and bridges.
In addition, residents will choose whether to aggregate the retail natural gas loads within the township and enter into service agreements for the sale and purchase of natural gas, “such aggregation to occur automatically except where any person elects to opt out.”
Shelby residents will be asked to pass a 0.9-mill, five-year renewal levy for the health department, as well as a 0.5-mill, five-year renewal levy for the city’s parks department.
The village of Bellville will have two issues on the ballot, a 3-mill, five-year renewal levy for police and a 2-mill, five-year renewal levy for the cemetery.
In local candidate races, Republican incumbent Marilyn John is being challenged by Democrat Colton Stidam to represent the 76th Senate District.
Incumbent Republican County Commissioner Cliff Mears will face Democratic challenger Mark Kaufmann. In a non-partisan race, Probate Judge Kelly Badnell, who is finishing her first term, will take on challenger Robert Franco.
Richland County voters also will consider a number of state races, including the one for governor between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, along with the race for U.S. Senate between Republican Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Lexington voters will see a 1-mill, five-year renewal levy for the village’s parks. In Lucas, residents will vote on a 0.75% income tax for general municipal operations and other expenses.
Plymouth voters will decide on a 1-mill, five-year renewal levy for the cemetery, while their neighbors in Shiloh will consider a 2.5-mill, five-year renewal levy for current expenses.
In Jefferson Township, voters will see a 2-mill, five-year renewal levy for roads and bridges. Like Madison Township, Mifflin Township residents will decide on a gas aggregation question.
Monroe Township residents, excluding people who live in Lucas, will vote on a 0.75-mill, five-year renewal levy for roads and bridges.
Sandusky Township voters, excluding Crestline and Galion residents, will have a 1.5-mill, five-year renewal levy for roads and bridges.
The News Journal has reported a number of times about two major school issues. In Lexington, voters will see a 0.75% earned income tax and a 4.8-mill renewal levy that was set to expire this year.
The income tax would be for 10 years, while the renewal levy would be for five.
Madison Township voters will see a five-year renewal levy for 14.4 mills. Both Lexington and Madison officials have said districts will have to make significant cuts if these issues do not pass. Both districts already have implemented pay-to-play for the upcoming school year.
Richland County has a limited number of voters in Ashland, Loudonville-Perrysville and South Central. All three districts have school issues on the ballot.
The Loudonville-Perrysville public library also has a 0.8-mill, five-year renewal levy for current expenses.
Five businesses are asking to be able to sell liquor on Sunday. They include the Lexington Avenue Drive-Thru, Kingwood Center Gardens and Legends Sports Grill & Pub in Shelby.
Two others are in Shelby, the Shelby Carry Out and the Ralph Phillips VFW Post 291.
Reach Mark Caudill at 419-521-7219 or via X at @MarkCau32059251.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: More than 25 issues to be on county ballots in Nov. 3 election
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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By Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
