NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Nelsonville voters are once again deciding their city’s fate this primary Election Day — this time via Issue 4, a proposed amendment to the Nelsonville City Charter.
While around 70% of Nelsonville voters passed Issue 23 to abolish the city charter in November 2024, Issue 4 amends the charter to adopt a new form of government based upon statutory provisions.
Voters cast their ballots on Tuesday at the only polling location in Nelsonville, the Athens County Community Cares Resource Center, at 10 W. Washington St.
The Independent spoke with two voters as they exited their polling place: One who voted for Issue 4, and one who voted against. They both expressed the same sentiment: Nelsonville needs change.
Jamie, who declined to share their last name due to privacy concerns, said they voted yes on Issue 23 last year.
“I hope it passes,” Jamie said. “I don’t see good enough change with what we have now.” Jamie added that they are in support of Issue 4 also because of its proposed term limits.
“Limits seem to motivate people to try to do something in their time,” Jamie said.
Another voter, who declined to share their name due to privacy concerns, cast their ballot while taking their lunch break. They opposed Issue 4. “I voted no — I think it’s time for change,” they said.
The Independent also spoke with recently appointed Nelsonville City Council member Nic Joseph Saul, and prospective council member McCray Powell — who, despite the rain, tabled in the polling place parking lot in favor of Issue 4 on Election Day morning.
Saul favors Issue 4 because “It does not abolish the charter; actually, it resurrects the charter, because Issue 23 would abolish the charter as of Jan. 1, 2026.” Saul also appreciates that Issue 4 proposes term limits for mayor and council.
“If Issue 4 fails, we would have to start from scratch,” Saul said.
Saul voted against Issue 23, but Powell voted for it. Powell also supports Issue 4.
“I’m very concerned about how our city employees can be paid in December,” Powell said.
Both Saul and Powell said Issue 4 would avoid partisan politics and preserve Nelsonville’s governmental independence.
“I do not want us to revert back to partisan elections,” Powell said. “I want to keep the Democratic and Republican parties out of Nelsonville, and I want us to keep home rule.”
Saul agreed. “I also agree that it’s important for these offices to remain nonpartisan, because that national party stuff doesn’t help us with the day to day here, and keeping home rule is just the number-one most important thing,” Saul said.
Like their fellow voters, Saul and Powell agree that Nelsonville residents want to see a change from their government.
“I think people voted for Issue 23 because they wanted a mayor and to send a message to the city,” Powell said. “I think the city got that message, and they are addressing the concerns with Issue 4 in a way that Issue 23 really wasn’t addressing.”
Saul echoed Powell’s comments: “There’s definitely a need for change; it’s very apparent. I think that having continuous options is a really good thing when you’re making such a big decision like this. We were presented with one thing in the fall, we liked that idea. Now, we have another idea that kind of grows off of that, and we have another opportunity to say exactly what we want.”
Polls close today, Tuesday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Clarification: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Saul did not vote on Issue 23; She did, but she voted against it. This article has been updated to reflect that.
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