What's on the ballot

TIFFIN — Early voting for the November general election begins in less than three weeks. The A-T received ballot information from Seneca County Board of Elections and spoke with board director Lori Elchert to discuss what is on the ballot this fall. "The ballot will include one statewide issue and one countywide issue," Elchert said. "To help voters make informed decisions and conduct their own research, sample ballots are now available on our website." Below is everything Seneca County residents will be voting on. For issues that only affect some precincts, please see your sample ballot on the board of elections website or view your precinct to see if you are voting on the issue. State candidates Governor/Lieutenant Governor Amy Acton/David Pepper (D) Don Kissick/James L. Mills (L) Vivek Ramaswamy/Robert A. McColley (R) Attorney General Keith Faber (R) John J. Kulewicz (D) Auditor of State Annette Blackwell (D) Frank LaRose (R) Secretary of State Tom Pruss (L) Allison Russo (D) Robert Sprague (R) Treasurer of State Jay Edwards (R) Seth Walsh (D) Supreme Court Term commencing 1/1/27 Daniel R. Hawkins (R) Marilyn Zaya (D) Term commencing 1/2/27 Jennifer Bronner (D) Colleen O'Donnell (R) US Senate Sherrod Brown (D) Jon Husted (R) Greg Levy (other party) William B. Redpath (L) US Congress, 5th district Bob Latta (R) Brian A. Shaver (D) Michael J. Veloff (L) Ohio House of Representatives Gary Click (R) Aaron W. Jones (D) Ohio Court of Appeals District 3 Mark C. Miller (R) Countywide candidates Seneca County Judge of the Court of Common Pleas Probate Division Jay A. Meyer Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart (R) David G. Zielger Seneca County Auditor Julie A. Adkins (R) Issues State issue 3 Proposed constitutional amendment To require voters to present photo identification in order to vote Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly To enact Section 5 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Ohio A majority yes vote is required for the adoption of Section 5. This proposed amendment would: Require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote. Allow state law to provide for an alternative method of verifying a voter's identity for a voter who has a sincere religious objection to being photographed and, therefore, does not possess an approved form of government-issued photo identification. Require that voters who do not vote in person provide an approved form of government-issued photo identification, unless the law authorizes those persons to vote by providing a signature and at least one other specified unique identifier. Define approved forms of government-issued photo identification as an unexpired Ohio driver license or state identification card; a United States passport or passport card; or a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification card, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card. If approved, the amendment shall take effect immediately. A "YES" vote means approval of the amendment. A "NO" vote means disapproval of the amendment. Old Fort Local School District Tax Renewal A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Old Fort Local School District for the purpose of current operating expenses and general permanent improvements, that the county auditor estimates will collect $528,626 annually, at a rate not exceeding 4.30 mills for current operating expenses and at a rate not exceeding 2.00 mills for general permanent improvements at a collective rate not exceeding 6.3 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $111 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. The county auditor has certified that the amount by which the carry-over balance in the district's general operating budget from the preceding fiscal year exceeds the district's general fund expenditures made in the preceding fiscal year is $0, which is 0% of those expenditures. Precincts affected: Adams 3, Clinton A2, Liberty A 1 and 2, Liberty B1, Pleasant 1, Hopewell A1 and All Bettsville Village Bettsville Public Library Tax Renewal A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Bettsville Public Library for the purpose of current expenses, that the county auditor estimates will collect $10,828 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.4 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $10 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. Precincts affected: All Bettsville Village, Liberty Twp A 2 and Liberty B1 Mental health and recovery tax renewal A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Seneca County for the purpose of providing for the operation of community addiction services providers and community mental health services providers and the acquisition, construction, renovation, financing, maintenance, and operation of alcohol and drug addiction facilities and mental health facilities in Seneca County that the county auditor estimates will collect $1,043,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.7 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $18 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 10 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. Precincts affected: All of Seneca County Fostoria City tax renewal A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Fostoria City for the purpose of current expenses, that the county auditor estimates will collect 1,047,593 annually, at a rate not exceeding 6 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $140 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. Precincts affected: All of Fostoria Green Springs fire protection tax An additional tax for the benefit of Green Springs Village for the purpose of fire protection that the county auditor estimates will collect $69,080 annually, at a rate not exceeding 3 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $105 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027. Precincts affected: All of Greens Springs Village Bettsville liquor permit Shall the sale of beer, wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sunday by Kamb, LLC dba The Quarry Campground an applicant for a C-1, C-2, and D-6 liquor permit authorizing off-premise sales who is engaged in the business of operating a campground and food and beverage carryout at 7800 N. Township Rd 70, Tiffin, OH 44883 in this precinct? Precincts affected: All of Bettsville Village