ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — Below are unofficial election results from the Athens County Board of Elections for the Tuesday, May 6 primary.
City of Athens
Issue 3: Proposed income tax increase
Over 57% of Athens primary election voters rejected the city’s proposal to raise the municipal income tax by 0.3%, which would have increased the municipal income tax rate from 1.95% to 2.25% — representing an overall 15% increase — beginning 2026. The proposed tax increase was estimated to generate upwards of $2.6 million annually.
Nearly 60% of the revenue from the municipal income tax goes to the city’s general fund, with the rest going to funds for street maintenance and repair, recreation, capital improvements and debt service.
State law allows municipalities to levy up to 1% in income taxes without voter approval; increases that raise the tax above 1% must go before voters.
If the city were to place a proposed tax increase up for vote again, it would have to send the issue to the board of elections by Aug. 6.
Athens voters last raised the municipal income tax in 2016.
Athens City Council
Athens City Council members are elected in odd-numbered years and serve two-year terms. New faces are guaranteed next year, as some council members declined to seek reelection. Primary winners will continue to the Nov. 4 election.
1st Ward
Megan Leah Almeida defeated challenger Anthony D. Jacobs in the Democratic primary election. The winner in the Nov. 4 election will replace Solveig Spjeldnes, who did not seek another term after serving two.
At-Large
Four candidates vied for three at-large nominations to Athens City Council. Incumbents Beth Clodfelter and Jessica Thomas and newcomer Paul Isherwood placed first, second and third, respectively, in the voting, with Ari Faber coming in fourth.
- 31%, Beth Clodfelter.
- 29%, Jessica Thomas.
- 22%, Paul Isherwood.
- 18%, Ari Faber.
Isherwood will replace current At-Large council member Micah McCarey, who is running for president of city council.
President of Council
Current At-Large council member Micah McCarey ran unopposed for Athens City Council president, a non-voting position. McCarey has served as an at-large council representative since 2021, and was first elected in 2023. Current Council President Sam Crowl declined to seek a second term. McCarey won 1,027 votes.
2nd Ward
Running unopposed in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Ward was John Adams Staser, who received 185 votes on Tuesday.
Jeffrey Risner, who has served on the body seven consecutive terms, currently serves as the representative and declined to seek another term.
3rd Ward
Running unopposed in the Democratic primary for the 3rd Ward was incumbent Michael Wood, who received 272 votes on Tuesday.
4th Ward
Running unopposed in the Democratic primary for the 4th Ward was incumbent Alan Swank, who received 294 votes on Tuesday.
Treasurer
Incumbent Democratic candidate Josh Thomas ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, receiving 953 votes. Josh Thomas was first elected in 2022.
City of Nelsonville
Issue 4: Amendment to city charter
Nearly 54% of participating voters rejected Issue 4 in Nelsonville on Tuesday. The issue was an amendment to the city charter and follows the passage of Issue 23 in November 2024.
Rather than abolish the charter and return to a default form of government (statutory), by amending and retaining the charter, Issue 4 would have adopted a new form of mayor-council city government, among other changes.
Additional changes proposed in Issue 23 include the abolishment of a city manager, and instead a mayor; term limits on mayors and council members; the addition of an elected, nonvoting president of council and more.
The issue also makes it clear that Nelsonville voters may again seek to abolish their charter and that the council “shall have full authority to implement any necessary transition into a statutory form of government.”
Around 70% of Nelsonville voters in the November 2024 election passed Issue 23 five months ago, which sought to abolish the city charter “and return to same [sic] form of government as it had prior.”
Issue 23 outlined that following its passage, city office holders were to be elected “during the municipal elections of 2025,” with terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Nelsonville City Council
At press time, unofficial results from the Athens County Board of Elections did not include Republican primary results for Nelsonville city offices.
Three candidates ran unopposed: current Nelsonville City Council member Jonathan Flowers for mayor, Andrea Nicole Thompson-Hashman for city auditor, and former council member Dan Sherman for city council president.
Ballot issues
State Issue 2
The only issue to appear before all Ohio voters today, around 72% of Athens County voters in today’s primary election voted in favor Issue 2.
Issue 2 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution allowing the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds (limited to $250 million per year over 10 years) to fund the State Capital Improvement Program through the Ohio Public Works Commission. The funds would help local governments pay for improvements to public infrastructure.
With 90% of precincts counted, the Ohio Secretary of State reported 67% Ohioans passed Issue 2.
Bern Township fire protection levy
Bern Township voters passed an additional fire protection levy, with 66% approving the measure. The 1-mill levy was estimated to generate around $26,000 annually, with an estimated annual taxpayer cost: $35 per $100,000 appraised value, for five years beginning in 2026.
Bern Township cemetery maintenance levy
Bern Township voters renewed a 1-mill levy for cemetery maintenance levy, with 60% voting in favor. The levy is estimated to generate around $23,000 annually, with an estimated annual taxpayer cost of $28 per $100,000 appraised value, for five years beginning in 2026.
Troy Township (excluding Coolville) road maintenance levy
Troy Township voters outside the village of Coolville voted down a road maintenance levy by a margin of four votes. The 2-mill levy was estimated to generate around $110,000 annually, with an estimated annual taxpayer cost of $70 per $100,000 appraised value.
Warren Local School District emergency requirements levy
One of the smallest precincts in the county, Athens County voters within the Warren Local School District voted down a 4.17-mill emergency levy that was estimated to generate $1.8 million annually, or an annual taxpayer cost of $146 per $100,000 appraised value. The levy would begin next year and last for a decade.
According to unofficial results from the Washington County Board of Elections, around 51% of Warren Local School District voters there approved the emergency levy.
