ASHLAND — November’s general election might have come and gone, but another one is right around the corner for Ashland County voters.
This time voters have a chance to weigh in on several local issues at the May 6 ballot box.
The Ashland County Board of Elections certified four local issues Monday afternoon. Board members also voted to invalidate one petition: for a liquor option that would’ve applied to Green Township.
Four petitions filed for Ashland city council seats and one petition for Ashland mayor were also certified by the board. The following people are running for the following positions:
- Matt Miller — mayor
- Jason Chio — city council, ward 2
- Dennis Miller — city council, ward 3
- Zachery Casler — city council, ward 4
- Angela Woodward — city council, ward 4
Write-in candidates have until Feb. 24 to file. If no write-in candidates filed, all the Ashland city council and mayoral candidates will move on to the general election in November.
What issues will appear on the May ballot?
Perrysville Village
The village of Perrysville is asking taxpayers to approve a 5 mills additional tax levy. It would pay for roads and bridges for a period of five years.
Hillsdale Local School District
Hillsdale Local Schools’ 20.1 mill renewal tax levy will appear on the May ballot. District leadership has said the renewal comes at no additional cost to taxpayers. Its passage or failure determines how much the district will receive in public utilities revenue.
At a special board meeting Monday morning, the district held a factual discussion about the levy with the head of its levy committee.
Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District
Voters in the Loudonville-Perrysville school district will see a second attempt at a new building. The district is asking voters to approve a 6.62-mill bond issue and 0.25% income tax levy.
The bond issue and tax levy, should they pass, will pay for $41 million of the cost of a $69.2 million new pre-K-12 building.
The income tax would be a 0.25% income tax for a period of 23 years, costing taxpayers $125 per $50,000 of income annually. A property tax, which would pay for the bond issue, would cost taxpayers $231.70 per $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised market value annually.
Lucas Local School District
The Lucas Local School District is asking voters to approve a 6 mill renewal tax levy. The renewal would help the district avoid an operating deficit, and would remain in place for a period of five years.
How to vote
For those who live in Perrysville or in the Hillsdale, Loudonville-Perrysville or Lucas school districts, the deadline to register to vote is April 7.
Early voting will begin April 8 at the Ashland County Board of Elections. The table below shows dates and times for early voting.
| Dates | Times to vote |
|---|---|
| April 8-11 | 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. |
| April 14-18 | 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. |
| April 21-25 | 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. |
| April 28 | 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. |
| April 29 | 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. |
| April 30-May 2 | 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. |
| May 3 | 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| May 4 | 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. |
Early voting ends at 5 p.m. on May 4. Polls will be open on election day, May 6, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
