Here are the candidates and issues you’ll find on the May 3 ballot

Voters in Rootstown cast their ballots at the NEOMED polling location. Wyatt Loy/Kent State Collaborative NewsLab

The Portage County Board of Elections announced the official slate of candidates and issues that voters will see on the May 2022 ballot. Here’s a rundown of the Republican and Democratic ballots, as well as the 10 issues around the county that are up for vote.

How primary voting works

Voters who are registered Republican or Democrat may choose their current party ballot or may choose to switch to a different party ballot or an issues-only ballot, said Faith Lyon, director of the Board of Elections.

Voters with no party affiliation may choose an issues-only ballot or a Republican or Democrat ballot. 

Contested countywide races

There are two contested races, one for Portage County commissioner and one for Auditor:

For the commissioner’s seat commencing Jan. 1, Republican voters will choose between Mike Tinlin and Ed Dean. Democratic voters will choose between Geraldine Hayes Nelson and Tim Moon. The winning candidate will proceed to the November general election.

For Portage County Auditor, term commencing March 13, Republican voters will decide among Kristy Elliott, Brian Ames, Matt Kelly, and Deborah L. Mann. In November, the winning candidate will face off against Brad Cromes, who is the only Democrat who has filed for the post.

Judicial races

The Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge for the General Division, whose term commences Jan. 1, is uncontested in primary polling, but in November voters will choose between Republican Wesley Buchanan and Democrat Laurie J. Pittman.

No Republicans filed for a single seat as Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge for Domestic Relations, whose term commences Jan. 2. The Democratic candidate is Paula C. Giulitto.

Statehouse races

Ohio is still struggling to come up with fair maps in the redistricting of state House and Senate districts that comply with the constitution. The Ohio Supreme Court rejected the Republican legislature’s proposals and has set a deadline of midnight Feb. 18 for the Ohio Redistricting Commission to submit an acceptable version. Until the matter is decided, candidates for those offices remain in legal limbo.

Local ballot issues

Across the county, voters will face 10 Issues:

Issue 1: Rootstown Local Schools is combining two existing emergency requirement levies into one. The new 10-year, 4.5-mill levy will not raise taxes, as it is a renewal levy. Combined, the levy is intended to garner $1,145,056 for the district.

Issue 2: Voters in southwestern Portage County who are served by Summit County’s Springfield Local Schools will face a 10-year, 3.9-mill additional tax levy to fund current expenses.

Isse 3: Community EMS is seeking a five-year, 3.5-mill renewal tax levy to fund ambulance and EMS service.

Issue 4: Aurora is seeking a charter amendment to allow city officials to hold virtual or hybrid meetings.

Issue 5: Aurora is seeking a five-year, 1.5-mill Renewal Tax Levy to fund ambulance and EMS service.

Issue 6: Wild Eagle Streetsboro, LLC is asking Streetsboro City 1C voters to decide a liquor option to allow Sunday sales for wine and mixed beverages and “spiritous liquor.” Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon is located at 9470 State Route 14, across an access road from Arby’s.

Issue 7: Mantua Village voters will decide on a proposed income tax increase from 1.5% to 2% effective July 1. The purpose of the tax increase is to fund the police department.

Issue 8: Mogadore voters who are served by Summit County fire services will decide on a five-year, 3.5-mill additional tax levy to fund fire protection.

Issue 9: Brimfield voters will decide on a continuing 3.02-mill replacement and tax levy increase to fund police protection.Issue 10: Paris Township voters will face a five year, two-mill renewal tax levy to fund fire protection.

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Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.