What's on the ballot

Seneca County voters will head to the polls this November to decide a wide range of local races and ballot issues, including city council seats, township trustees, school board members, and several proposed tax levies. While some issues will appear countywide, others will be decided only in specific precincts depending on where residents live. Countywide ballot issues All voters in Seneca County will weigh in on three major items: • Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court judge • Seneca County General Health District tax levy (renewal) to continue funding public health services • Seneca County Park District tax levy (replacement) to maintain and improve parks and recreational areas City and village elections Tiffin voters will elect a council president, four council-at-large members and three Tiffin City School Board members. They will also vote on a proposed income tax for the school district and a local liquor option for Coastal Swing. Fostoria residents will decide contested races in the First, Third and Fourth wards, elect three Fostoria City School Board members and vote on a municipal income tax proposal. Green Springs Village voters will choose four village council members, three Clyde-Green Springs School Board members, and vote on a Birchard Public Library tax levy renewal. Bettsville Village will vote on four council seats and a local liquor option for Friendship Foodstore. Bloomville, Republic and Attica will also hold council elections. Attica voters will select a mayor and council members. Township trustee elections Voters in Adams, Thompson, Clinton, Eden, Hopewell, Jackson, Liberty, Loudon, Pleasant, Reed, Scipio, Bloom, Big Spring, Seneca and Venice townships will elect two trustees each. Many of these races are contested, with multiple candidates and write-in options. School board elections School board races are on the ballot for nearly every district serving Seneca County, including: • Tiffin • Fostoria • Hopewell-Loudon • Lakota • Seneca East • New Riegel • Old Fort • Buckeye Central • Bellevue • Carey • Vanlue • Mohawk • Arcadia Some districts also have income tax proposals, including: • Tiffin City Schools (new) • New Riegel Local Schools (renewal) Several races include write-in candidates or unexpired terms. Local tax levies In addition to countywide proposals, several townships and school districts are asking voters to approve or renew levies: • Clinton Township fire and EMS levy (replacement) for emergency services and equipment • Liberty Township current expenses levy (renewal) for general operations • Birchard Public Library levy (renewal) Educational service centers Voters in select precincts will also elect board members for: • North Central Ohio Educational Service Center • Hancock County Educational Service Center Ways to vote Early in-person voting Early voting will be held at the Seneca County Board of Elections office, 71 S. Washington St., Suite 1101, Tiffin. Voters must present a valid photo ID, such as an Ohio driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport or military ID. Early voting hours: • Oct. 7–10: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Oct. 14–17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Oct. 20–24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Oct. 27: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. • Oct. 28: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. • Oct. 29–31: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. • Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Nov. 2: 1 to 5 p.m. (last day to vote early in person) Absentee voting by mail To vote by mail, voters must submit a completed Form 11-A (dated April 25). The Board of Elections must receive the original paper application. Email, phone, fax or scanned copies are not accepted. Applications can be: • Mailed • Dropped off at the Board of Elections office • Placed in the official drop box Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Tuesday, Oct. 28, by 8:30 p.m. Ohio does not have a permanent absentee list. Voters must request a ballot for each election. To print an application, visit boe.ohio.gov/seneca and click "Absentee Ballot Application and Print." Ballot deadlines: • Drop-off ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day • Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 How to view your ballot To see what will appear on your ballot: • Visit boe.ohio.gov/seneca • Select "Precinct and Polling Location Info" • Click "Polling Place Search" • Enter your address • Use the "Sample Ballots" quick link • Choose "View Ballot" or "View Accessible Ballot" Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Seneca County Board of Elections website or contact your local election officials.