UPPER SANDUSKY — Early in-person voting is under way at the Wyandot County Board of Elections, 350 N. Warpole St. in Upper Sandusky, and the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election ballot asks voters to continue a county sales tax for the sheriff and EMS, pick a county commissioner from a crowded field and renew a mental health levy.
The county’s top tax question is a continuation of the 0.5 percent sales and use tax proposed by the county commissioners to provide additional revenue for the county general fund, for operation of the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Department and emergency medical services, for a period of five years. Voters will answer yes or no on whether the commissioners’ resolution proposing the tax shall be approved.
For county commissioner for the full term beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Republican Russell L. Smith is on the ballot with Jason S. Yeater, Kenneth Beamer and Jon Hathaway. Republican George Kitzler is unopposed for county auditor.
The mental health question is a renewal for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties: 0.6 mill for 10 years, commencing in 2027, estimated to collect $361,454 a year — about $13 per $100,000 of market value — for community addiction and mental health services and facilities in Wyandot County. Elsewhere on the ballot, Wynford Local Schools seeks a 1.75 percent income tax for 10 years for current expenses, and the Wyandot East Fire District seeks renewal of a 2.5-mill levy — an estimated $76,990 a year, about $32 per $100,000 — for five years for fire protection.
Representing the county, Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Latta faces Democrat Brian A. Shaver and Libertarian Michael J. Veloff in the 5th Congressional District. In the 87th Ohio House District, Republican Jeffrey A. McClain is on the ballot with Craig Swartz and Lora Covrett, and Mark C. Miller is the candidate for judge of the 3rd District Court of Appeals.
Statewide, Ohio voters will choose a governor — Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Democrat Amy Acton or Libertarian Don Kissick — and decide a U.S. Senate race between Republican Jon Husted, Democrat Sherrod Brown and Libertarian William B. Redpath. Also on the ballot are attorney general (Keith Faber vs. John J. Kulewicz), auditor of state (Frank LaRose vs. Annette Blackwell), secretary of state (Robert Sprague vs. Allison Russo), treasurer of state (Jay Edwards vs. Seth Walsh), two Ohio Supreme Court seats, and State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require photo identification to vote.
Early in-person voting continues at the board of elections office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Oct. 23, then expands: Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Oct. 28–30 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. Absentee ballot applications are due by 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 27, and voted absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Voters must show photo identification, and polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.