ASHLAND — It appears unofficial election results from April 28 will stand across Ashland County.
Ashland County Board of Elections Deputy Director Amanda Jones shared election results Wednesday, showing 24.35 percent voter turnout in the first-of-its-kind primary election.
After the planned March 17 in-person election was halted on March 16 by an order from Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, elections were re-scheduled to continue by absentee ballot only through April 28.
Ballots could be mailed through April 27. Valid ballots could be postmarked April 27, meaning some would not arrive at the Board of Elections Office in time to be counted Tuesday night.
Despite this, the only contested county-level election and ballot issues in Ashland County did not appear close enough to be affected, according to information provided by Jones on April 28.
The leads appeared to be commanding enough to stand, despite a possible 776 issued ballots that were yet to be counted.
This was confirmed Wednesday when final, unofficial election results were released. The elections board will meet May 19 to certify the final numbers.
Republican Primary for Ashland County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge
In the only contested county-level race, Ashland resident and attorney Karen DeSanto Kellogg won the Republican party’s primary for Ashland County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge with 60.15 percent of the vote, or 3,495 of 5,810 ballots cast.
If DeSanto Kellogg wins the November 2020 election, she’d replace Judge Damian Vercillo, who couldn’t run again due to age restrictions, in January 2021. She’ll have no competition from the Democratic Party, as no Democratic candidates participated in the primary, but she could see competition potentially from an independent candidate.
Her opponents in the April primary, David Hunter and Joseph Kearns Jr. garnered 20.29 percent (1,179 votes) and 19.55 percent (1,136 votes), respectively.
“The voters were so selfless to come out and go through the process of voting to have their voices heard, even in these difficult times, and that means everything to me,” Desanto Kellogg said in an April 28 phone call. “I’m so appreciative to the voters, the poll workers and the postal office workers for making this election happen.”
At that time, unofficial results showed she received 60.39 percent of the vote.
Local Questions & Issues
City of Ashland’s Road Repair and Maintenance Tax
City of Ashland residents approved continuing the 5-year, 0.25 percent income tax for road repair and maintenance.
The renewal levy passed overwhelmingly with 78.88 percent of the vote, or 2,372 of 3,007 ballots cast.
On April 28, it was apparent the levy would pass as 2,307 of 2,913 votes — or 79.20 percent of the recorded votes — were in favor of continuing the levy.
Since 2016, the levy has generated $4.8 million and allowed the city to acquire more in state funding to invest an estimated $6.3 million in road repairs.
Mayor Matt Miller said in December that the city has paved 56.25 of its total 220 lane miles, or more than 85 streets.
Jeromesville’s three Fire District Renewal Levies
All three of the Jeromesville’s fire district renewal levies passed, according to final election results.
The five-year, 0.4 mil renewal levy passed with 84.58 percent of the vote, or 406 of 480 total votes.
The five-year, 1 mill renewal levy passed with 82.01 percent of the vote, or 392 of 478 total votes.
The five-year, 1.6 mill renewal levy passed with 79.87 percent of the vote, or 381 of 477 total votes.
The funds are for fire protection and emergency medical services.
Vermillion Township’s two Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services Levies
Residents of Vermillion Township passed two renewal levies for fire protection and emergency medical services with more than 85 percent approval.
The five-year, 1 mill renewal levy passed with 86.93 percent of the vote, or 459 of 528 total votes.
The five-year, 1.35 mill renewal levy passed similarly with 85.23 percent of the vote, or 450 of 528 total votes.
Vermillion Township’s Maintenance and Operation of Cemeteries Levy
Vermillion Township residents passed a five-year, 0.5 mill renewal levy for maintenance and operation of cemeteries with 83.46 percent of the vote.
The final election results show 439 of 526 votes were cast in favor of the levy renewal.
Hanover Township’s Road and Bridges Tax
With 86.75 percent of the vote, Hanover Township continued a 5-year, 1.2 mill renewal tax levy for roads and bridges.
The levy passed with 144 or 166 voting in favor for the continuance.
Landoll’s Castle Sunday Sales
With 74.39 percent of the vote, a portion of Loudonville determined it will allow Sunday alcoholic sales by Landoll’s Mohican Castle.
Election results show 122 of 164 voted to approve the sales.
