A handful of contested races for elected office in the city of Bellefontaine and a quartet of levy requests throughout the county to fund public services are featured on the Tuesday, May 2, primary election ballot in Logan County.
Voters have the option to cast their votes early during absentee voting hours offered throughout this week and over the weekend at the Logan County Board of Elections, 225 S. Main St.
Today, April 25, the board of elections is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for early voting.
Continuing this week, absentee voting hours at the board of elections are: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, through Friday, April 28.
Over the weekend, the early voting hours are: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 30.
There is no early voting on Monday, May 1. Polling locations will be open Tuesday, May 2, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Because there are no contested races on the Democratic ballot, there will not be a Democratic ballot to choose from in this primary, the board of elections reports.
Contested races for offices of Bellefontaine mayor and municipal court judge highlight the Republican primary. Incumbent mayor Ben Stahler is opposed by David A. Crissman.
The winner of that race will face off against Tim Steinhelfer, who will run as a Democrat in the November General Election.
Jacob Estes and Crystal Welsh are each running to be the Republican nominee for municipal court judge. The winner of that May 2 primary will run unopposed in the General Election, as there is no Democratic candidate in the race.
Elected officials in the village of DeGraff are asking voters there to approve an additional 0.5 percent continuous income tax to build a new fire station and purchase a new truck and equipment.
According to ballot language, the funds will be used for the purpose of, “acquiring, constructing, furnishing, equipping, improving, maintaining, and operating a municipal fire station facility, a fire truck and related fire apparatus.”
The new income tax would also pay for any related operating expenses, as well as to pay off debt service charges incurred as part of the construction of the building and/or purchase of the new fire truck.
The village of Huntsville also seeks additional monies for fire protection. Council has asked for a five-year, 1.5 mills additional property tax levy for fire protection and EMS services.
A pair of renewal requests round out the village and township issues.
Jefferson Township is asking for a five-year, .5 mills property tax renewal to fund its library.
Stokes Township Southwest Fire District requests voters renew a five-year, 1.6 mills property tax for the purpose of fire protection.
Rounding out the ballot for the May 2 primary, Republicans Deborah E. Baker, Jenna James and Kyle Springs vie for the Bellefontaine City Council at-large seat. Democrat Victoria Maddox is also contesting an at-large seat on the city council, and will appear on the November General Election ballot.
Bellefontaine Law Director Joshua Stolly; Auditor Fred Brentlinger; and President of Council Zeb Wagner are each running unopposed in both the primary and general elections.
Likewise, Republican city councilmen John G. Aler, first ward, and Nick Davis, third ward; and Democratic councilwoman MacKenzie Myers Fitzpatrick, fourth ward, are each unopposed in the primary and general elections.
The race to represent Belelfontaine’s second ward on city council will not be decided until the November General Election, as Republican incumbent Jordan Reser is contested by C. Raymond Swisher.
For more information, contact the Logan County Board of Elections, (937) 599-7255.
