COSHOCTON — Early voting is under way in Coshocton County for a Nov. 3 general election ballot topped by renewal levies for emergency medical services and the public library and a contested race for county commissioner. Early voting is at the Board of Elections office, 724 South 7th Street, Room 100, Coshocton, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 23.
The largest money question is the Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services renewal: 3 mills for five years for operation and maintenance, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. It is estimated to collect $2,158,953 annually, at $62 for each $100,000 of market value. The library renewal, for current expenses of the Coshocton County District Library, is 0.5 mill for five years on the same schedule — $400,237 annually, at $12 for each $100,000 of market value.
The commissioner race is the only contested local contest. Republican W. Chuck Ellis faces write-in candidate Rick Conkle for a full term commencing Jan. 1, 2027, replacing Gary Fischer, who chose not to seek re-election. Ellis retired as owner of Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno and won the Republican primary. Conkle, whose name must be written in, was a commissioner from 2020 to 2024.
The other county offices are uncontested: Republican Janette L. Donaker for county auditor; Republican Joshua D. Kempf for county engineer, an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2028; and Jason W. Given for Probate and Juvenile Court judge, a full term commencing Feb. 9, 2027. Matthew George is also listed for a 5th District Court of Appeals seat.
Several townships have questions. Jackson Township seeks renewal of 2.5 mills for five years for fire protection — $80,738 a year, $44 per $100,000 home. The Three Rivers Fire District, covering Keene, Millcreek and Tuscarawas townships, seeks renewal of 2 mills for five years for fire protection — $156,298 a year, $32 per $100,000 home. Clark Township seeks a new 1-mill levy for five years for roads and bridges — $18,641 a year, $35 per $100,000 home.
No school tax question appears on the Nov. 3 ballot for Coshocton City, Ridgewood Local or River View Local. River View’s operating levy was decided in May, as a continuing renewal of its 4.8-mill tax.
Voters also decide governor, attorney general, auditor of state, secretary of state and treasurer of state, two Ohio Supreme Court seats, a U.S. Senate seat, and statewide Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine Ohio’s photo-ID law in the state constitution. Coshocton County is in Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, 19th Ohio Senate District and 98th Ohio House District.
Absentee applications are due Tuesday, Oct. 27, by 8:30 p.m. Early voting ends Nov. 1 (Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, 1 to 5 p.m.), with none Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and voters must show an unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state ID, a U.S. passport, or a U.S. military ID.