Numerous ballot issues and multiple county officials filed to be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot according to information from the Champaign County Board of Elections.
Wednesday afternoon was the deadline for issues and candidates to be placed on the ballot.
Candidates
The only contested race in Champaign County will be for a county commissioner seat between incumbent Republican David E. Faulkner and Independent challenger Barnaby S. Ofori.
A number of local government officials will run unopposed including Champaign County Commissioner Steven R. Hess, Prosecutor Kevin Talebi, Common Pleas Court Clerk Penny S. Underwood, Sheriff Matthew R. Melvin, County Recorder Glenda L. Bayman, County Treasurer Robin K. Edwards, County Engineer Stephen E. McCall and Coroner Joshua F. Richards. All are Republicans.
Beyond the county level, Urbana resident Nino Vitale will run unopposed for the Ohio House Representative for the 85th district while Lima resident Matt Huffman will run unopposed for an Ohio Senate 12th district seat. Both are Republicans.
In other state races, three candidates will run unopposed for three judge seats on the Ohio 2nd District Court of Appeals. The candidates include Mary E. Donovan, Michael T. Hall and Michael L. Tucker.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor will run unopposed for the chief justice seat. Candidates John P. O’Donnell and Pat Fischer will contend for one state Supreme Court justice seat while candidates Cynthia Rice and Pat DeWine will contend for another state Supreme Court justice seat.
Incumbent Republican Jim Jordan will seek re-election against Democratic challenger Janet Garrett in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives for Ohio’s 4th Congressional District.
Incumbent Republican Rob Portman will seek re-election against Democratic challenger Ted Strickland and Green Party challenger Joseph R. DeMare in the race for U.S. Senator.
In the race for U.S. President and Vice President, Democratic candidates Hillary R. Clinton and Tim Kaine will face Republican candidates Donald J. Trump and Mike Pence.
Issues
One of the countywide ballot issues is a 0.4-mill renewal levy for the purpose of operation of the Champaign Health District commencing in 2017 for five years.
Another countywide ballot issue is a 0.3-mill additional levy for the benefit of the Champaign County Historical Society for the purpose of maintenance and operation of a free public museum of history commencing in 2016 for five years.
The city of Urbana has six issues related to proposed amendments to the city charter.
The amendments involve legislative procedure, reading requirements, the effective date of ordinances and resolutions, publication of ordinances and resolutions, codification, authorizing the mayor to appoint the director of administration, director of law and director of finance, and any board or commission with less than five regular voting members shall have at least one alternate member appointed by the mayor to serve in the event any temporary absence or conflict of interest arises for any regular board or commission member.
The village of St. Paris will have three issues on the ballot including a 4.9-mill additional levy for the purpose of providing, maintaining and operating a police department commencing in 2016 for five years.
St. Paris will have a ballot question asking residents if the village should have the authority to aggregate retail electric loads located within the governmental boundaries of the village and enter into service agreements for the sale and purchase of electricity, with such aggregation to occur automatically except where any person elects to opt out.
The village will also have a ballot question asking residents if St. Paris should have the authority to aggregate retail gas loads located within the governmental boundaries of the village and enter into service agreements for the sale and purchase of gas, with such aggregation to occur automatically except where any person elects to opt out.
Voters in St. Paris, Johnson Township and the JSP Fire District will also vote on a 2.25-mill renewal levy for providing and maintaining fire apparatus, appliances, buildings or sites commencing in 2017 for five years.
Residents in Goshen Township will vote on a 2-mill renewal levy for providing emergency medical services commencing in 2017 for five years.
Mad River Township residents will vote on a 0.5-mill renewal levy for providing fire protection services commencing in 2017 for five years.
Rush Township will have two levies on the ballot including a 0.7-mill additional levy for current operating expenses and a 1.0-mill renewal levy for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing roads and bridges.
Salem Township will have two levies on the ballot including a 2.9-mill additional levy for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of roads and a 3.0-mill replacement levy for fire protection and ambulance services.
Wayne Township residents will vote on a 2.5-mill renewal for the purpose of general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of roads commencing in 2017 for five years.
The board of elections will certify Wednesday’s filings on Aug. 18. The deadline for write-in candidates is Aug. 29.
