ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — More than 1,800 Athens County voters have cast their ballots in the March 19 presidential primary election thus far.
The Athens County Board of Elections reported that 1,828 ballots had been cast as of Thursday morning. Most of the ballots were cast by Democratic voters who voted in office or via mail.
Athens County’s primary ballot has only one contested local race, for the Democratic county treasurer candidate. Voters across Athens County will also decide this spring on a number of ballot issues, including township levies, a countywide levy and a school district income tax.
The deadline to register to vote in next week’s election has passed. The last day to register to vote in the November 2024 presidential general election is Oct. 7. Learn more about voting and potential polling location changes at the board of elections website.
Preview what’s on your ballot with the Ohio Board of Elections ballot look-up.
Alexander Local Schools
Renewal levy for current operating expenses
After the same five-year levy renewal narrowly failed in the November election, the school district immediately began planning to bring the levy to the primary ballot, predicting a financial “train wreck” if the district is unable to get the tax revenue it says it needs. Specifically, if the levy fails, the district expects to lay off teachers and lose some specialized classes, among other changes, WOUB reported.
However, an error by the Athens County Board of Elections has the ballot wording incorrect, WOUB reported on Monday. The levy applies only to earned income, not unearned income or estates. The error does not affect the income tax’s actual collection, but it could affect the issue’s outcome.
Read our previous coverage
Countywide
Additional levy for senior citizens facilities and services
All Athens County voters will decide on adding a 0.25 mills, five-year levy for “providing support of senior citizens facilities and services,” estimated to collect $319,000 annually. The levy, in part, helps fund Meals on Wheels.
Carthage Township
Renewal levy for fire protection
Voters in Carthage Township will decide whether to renew their five-year fire protection levy at a rate of 1.5 mills, estimated to generate around $43,000 annually, with collection beginning this year and first due in 2025. Renewal levies are prorated to raise the same amount of money as when the tax was originally passed, so they do not increase taxes.
Lodi Township
Replacement levy for permanent improvements
Lodi Township voters will decide on two levies. First is a 1-mill replacement of an expiring levy for permanent improvements. The levy is estimated to generate $34,000 annually, with collection beginning this year and first due in 2025. Replacement levies may increase taxes because they are applied to current property valuations.
Replacement levy for road maintenance
The second Lodi Township levy also is a replacement levy — this time for road maintenance, including dust control, at 2 mills for five years. The county auditor estimates the tax would generate $68,000 per year. The levy would commence in 2024 and is first due in 2025.
Rome Township
Additional levy for fire protection
Rome Township ballots also contain two levies. The first is an additional levy for fire protection, at 2 mills for 5 years beginning this year and first due in 2025, the additional fire protection levy is estimated to bring in $52,000 annually.
Replacement levy for cemetery maintenance.
Rome Township voters also will decide whether to replace an expiring levy for cemetery maintenance. At 1.1 mills, lasting five years beginning this year and first due next year, the levy is estimated to generate $29,000 annually.
County offices
The only contested race for a county office is for treasurer; both candidates are Democrats. Current Athens City Council member Beth Clodfleter, At Large, faces off against Nelsonville City Auditor Taylor Sappington. Incumbent Ric Wasserman, who decided not to run again, has endorsed Clodfelter. Both Clodefelter and Sappington want to focus on expanding the work of the county land bank. Each says they have the best experience to do the job well.
Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins, like most other county Democrats, will run uncontested after the Athens County Board of Elections kept Chauncey Mayor Amy Renner’s off the ballot due to a clerical error.
Read our previous coverage
State primaries
Two Democrats are competing in the only contested primary race for the Ohio Supreme Court.
Judge Terri Jamison of the 10th District Court of Appeals (Columbus) and Judge Lisa Forbes of the 8th District Court of Appeals (Cuyahoga County) seek the seat currently held by Justice Joseph Deters, a Republican, who was appointed to the court in December 2022.
That term would expire in 2026. Deters will attempt to unseat incumbent Justice Melody Stewart, a Democrat, in November.
Read our previous coverage
Federal primaries
U.S. Senate: Incumbent Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is running uncontested on the Democratic primary ballot. The Republican ballot includes three candidates: businessman Bernie Moreno, who secured former U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement; state senator Matt Dolan; and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. See the Statehouse News Bureau’s coverage of their final debate.
U.S. President: President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump face contested races, although both have already clinched their party’s nominations. Biden has faced organized protest vote campaigns in several states over his support for Israel’s war on Gaza, with voters casting “uncommitted” ballots. Ohio’s ballot doesn’t have that option.
