ATHENS, Ohio — The City of Athens income tax levy and the Village of Albany streets levy are dependent upon the counting of provisional ballots to determine if these issues passed or failed.
As it currently stands the income tax was passed by just five votes and the streets levy failed by only three votes. In total 98 provisional ballots are in the process of being reviewed by election officials to determine if they can be counted.
Roughly 21.5% of registered voters in Athens County cast ballots in the 2026 primary election. Of registered Democrats, 91.6% voted in the election compared to 57.1% of registered Republicans and 0.5% of unregistered voters.
Local issues
Athens County residents that live or work in the City of Athens could be subjected to a 0.2% increase in the city’s income tax. The highly debated levy was initially reported to have passed by only eight votes.
There were 973 votes cast to support raising the income tax, while 965 residents voted against the issue. According to Tony Brooks, director of the Athens County Board of Elections, 46 provisional ballots came from voters in the City of Athens.
If passed, Athens will collect a 2.15% income tax from residents that work in the city; It is estimated that the city will raise an additional $1.9 million in tax year 2027 due to the tax increase. The city previously sought an income tax increase of 0.3% in 2025, which voters voted against by a wide margin.
In an information packet distributed at an March 31 town hall on the increase, Athens City Treasurer Josh Thomas noted that almost 18% of the city’s income tax is earmarked for street improvements, construction of the city pool and the new fire station on Stimson Avenue, and operating the city’s community center.
Among the five priorities for the additional revenue, according to the packet, is the transportation assistance fund that supports Athens Public Transit and which is operated by Hocking Athens Perry Community Action. In late April, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson pledged to use new funding through the tax increase to restore Saturday service on Athens Public Transit.
The Independent contacted Patterson for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
Other areas designated as priorities for the new funds are streets, recreation, capital improvements, and the medical fund for city employees.
The city income tax generated $17.2 million in 2024 — more than half of the city’s general operating revenue that year — according to the city’s 2024 audit.
A number of other tax levies were on the 2026 ballot for local residents to consider:
- The Albany Village streets levy was defeated by just three votes, with 66 residents voting against the levy and 63 residents supporting the levy. The status of this levy could be changed after provisional ballots are counted.
- Amesville residents passed a levy supporting the fire department with 35 voters endorsing the levy and 12 voters in opposition.
- Amesville voters also passed a levy supporting village operations with 36 votes cast in favor of the levy and 11 against.
- Buchtel residents opposed a levy supporting village operations with 37 votes cast against the levy and only 30 votes in favor.
- Jacksonville residents passed levies supporting the fire department and village operations. Both levies passed with 24 votes in favor of the levies and 17 votes opposing the levies.
- Trimble residents voted in favor of a tax levy supporting the fire department with 123 voters supporting the measure and 70 voters opposing the measure.
- Troy Township residents voted down a levy intended to support street maintenance, with 197 residents opposed to the levy. Only 96 residents voted for the levy.
Statewide issues
Democrat Attorney General
Elliot Forhan received the nod from 51% of Athens County voters but will not appear on the fall ballot. Instead, John J. Kulewicz will run in the fall as he received 63% of votes statewide.
Democrat Secretary of State
Allison Russo will appear on the fall ballot as the Democratic option for Secretary of State. Russo was endorsed by 72% of Athens County voters and 67% of statewide voters.
Democrat U.S. Senator
Former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator and will face off with former Lieutenant Governor John Husted in the fall. Brown received broad support from Athens County Democrats with 89.8% of Athens County voters supporting the Columbus resident. Brown saw similar support statewide with 89.4% of Democrats marking him as their preferred candidate.
Democrat State Representative 95th District
Paul Cameron defeated Ohio University Student James Joyce in a race to be the Democratic nominee to represent the 95th District in the state legislature. Of Athens County Democrats, 62.7% backed Cameron. He won the 95th district with 64.7% of the vote.
Republican Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley won both statewide and in Athens County and will appear on the ballot this fall as the Republican Party’s candidate for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Statewide, Ramaswamy got support from 82% of Republican voters. Meanwhile, 71% of Athens County Republicans cast a vote for Ramaswamy.
Republican Secretary of State
Robert Sprague has won the nod from both Athens County and Ohio Republicans to be the next Secretary of State. Sprauge won statewide with 70% of the vote and won Athens County with 73% of the vote.
Republican Treasurer of State
Former Athens County State Representative Jay Edwards will appear on the ballot this fall as the Republican nominee for Treasurer of State. Edwards received a significant amount of support from Athens County voters, with 79% of Republican ballots supporting the Nelsonville resident. Statewide, 53% of Ohio Republicans voted for Edwards.
Republican Justice of the Supreme Court
For the Republican nominee to the Ohio Supreme Court term starting on Jan 2., 2027,, Athens County Republicans won’t see their preferred option on the fall ballot. Among four candidates, Andrew King won Athens County with 29% of the vote. However, Colleen O’Donnell will be listed, as she received 32% of the vote statewide.
