THE NEW
P LITICAL An Independent Voice for Athens
CAST YOUR V TE 2018 VOTER’S GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04
Nate Doughty, Editor-in-Chief
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Athens divided over Issue 1
Casting their first ballot
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Meet the candidates
Breaking down the levies
Mock ballot for Athens
OUR TEAM Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Projects Editor Elections Editor Digital Editor Design Editor News Editors Opinion Editor Senior Content Creator Public Relations Chief Staff Development Director Webmaster Staff Reporters
Nate Doughty Marilyn Icsman Kat Tenbarge Ben Peters Sarah Horne Elisabeth Rockamore Maggie Prosser Cole Behrens Tim Zelina Connor Perrett Kayla Wood Marianne Dodson William Meyer Sarah Donaldson Bo Kuhn Nathan Hart Zach Richards thenewpolitical.com/about
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hen we elect a candidate, we give them the power to change our lives. Be it who we send to the White House or who we pick as county treasurer, the Americans who hold public office have a tangible impact on the shape of our democracy. But our elections aren’t limited to just candidates, as state issues and county levies rest on our decision to either pass or fail. This process can be confusing and overwhelming. To help, The New Political has created this Voter’s Guide with the sole intent of helping you make the best decisions for yourself at the voting booth. Within these pages you will learn about all the candidates on the ballot and where they stand on the issues that matter most to you. You’ll also become informed on a proposed Ohio state constitutional amendment, referred to as Issue 1, and the three tax levies up for vote here in Athens County. At the end of this guide, you’ll find a mock ballot, so you can fill in the circles next to the candidates you’ve picked. Come Nov. 6, you’ll be fully prepared to match your real ballot with this one. The New Political prides itself on editorial independence, and we enthusiastically tout our commitment to non-partisanship. You’ll see information in this guide about candidates from all political parties that are on the ballot — not just those who are Democrats or Republicans. This guide could not exist without the tireless efforts of the entire staff. I specifically want to thank our Projects Editor Kat Tenbarge, Elections Editor Ben Peters, Digital Editor Sarah Horne, and Design Editor Elisabeth Rockamore for their countless contributions. Our democracy demands our voice. So, go out there, take this guide, and Cast Your Vote!
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Polling locations in Athens
WHERE’S PUMPKIN? Athens icon and beloved pet cat Pumpkin loves to hang out in the Board of Elections office on Court Street. There are pictures of him placed throughout this Voter’s Guide. Tweet @thenewpolitical with a photo of yourself wearing a voting sticker and the number of times Pumpkin appears in the guide to be entered to win a $10 gift card to a local business of your choosing. Cover by Connor Perrett
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*Text in blue indicates the precinct to which each polling location is assigned. Students who reside on West, East, and South Green report to Baker Students who reside in Voigt and Bromley Halls report to First Presbyterian Church
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Voters consider dropping felony drug charges BY SARAH DONALDSON
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hioans will vote on Issue 1 this November, a controversial initiative that would make drug possession a misdemeanor. The American Civil Liberties Unionendorsed ballot initiative – also known as the Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment – is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution concerning drug-related crimes and criminal sentencing. If passed, Issue 1 would retroactively demote all drug possession charges from felonies to misdemeanors, shorten prison sentences for some criminals convictions, and reallocate money to various rehabilitation programs. Both incumbent Gov. John Kasich (R) and gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine (R) oppose Issue 1, while gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray (D) pledged his support for the initiative. The Ohio University College Democrats have taken a strong stance in favor of Issue 1. The organization voted to endorse it at a recent weekly meeting, despite never having endorsed a ballot initiative in the past, President Bailey Williams said. The endorsement passed with more
than a 50 percent majority. Williams participated in Ohio’s early voting, where he voted “YES” on Issue 1. “Since (Issue 1 is) only for possession charges and not trafficking or anything like that, I was really comfortable voting for it,” Williams said. “Just the fact that it’s shifting toward treatment was a step in the right direction in my mind.” On the contrary, the Ohio University College Republicans (OUCR) chose not to take an official stance on Issue 1. Cole Neuhart, political director of OUCR, is opposed to the issue’s ballot language and the amendment’s permission of substances like fentanyl, although he supports the measure in principle. “I’d love to be all for it,” Neuhart said. “I think it’s a great starting point; I just think it needs amended.” Rick Hodges, director of the Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health, is also concerned with Issue 1. “I understand why the proponents of it are trying to promote a more compassionate system when it comes to folks with substance abuse problems,” Hodges said. “But I think this cuts out the law enforcement community and the judges who are working very hard to be part of the solution.” Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith said he is opposed to Issue 1 because of its potential implications for local law enforcement. He is partially concerned that no surrounding states have laws in place similar to what Issue 1 would implement in Ohio. “It will be a safe haven for drug dealers and drug users if this law passes,” Smith said. Smith emphasized that the Sheriff’s Department wants to help people who are struggling with drug addiction, and that there are certain measures in place to ensure they get help. He is concerned for law-abiding community members who feel unsafe due to others abusing drugs. “We don’t want to hurt anybody or harm anyone but we also gotta think about the citizens out there that tell me, ‘I’m afraid to sit on my porch, I’m afraid to walk my children down the road,’”
First-time voter participation may spike in midterms BY CONNOR PERRETT
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he felt “powerless” two years ago as she watched now-President Donald Trump ascend from businessman and television host to the nation’s highest office. “It was so frustrating,” Taylor Linzinmeir, a freshman studying journalism, said. “I was educated. I wanted to have my voice heard.” This election could be a chance for her, and for millions of other young people nationwide, to either reject or endorse Trump’s America, as they cast their ballot for the first time— even if they won’t get to vote in a presidential election for another two years. Growing up, the 18-year-old from Hilliard didn’t talk about politics. Or religion. Or money. Talking about who her parents voted for was off limits. “My parents don’t necessarily share the same political views as I do, so any time we talk about politics it turns into an argument,” Linzinmeir said. “I think being raised in that environment made me scared to talk about it.” Nevertheless, she did and still does. She registered to vote at age 17, when she participated in “Youth at the Booth,” a program in Franklin County that allows high school seniors aged 17 or older to work the polls on Election Day. Now, Linzinmeir and the 8 million others who weren’t old enough in 2016 can make their voice heard in the most American way possible — by voting. In Athens County, 3,789 people registered to vote for the first time this year, bringing the total number registered in the county to 45,323, the Athens County Board of Elections reported. But there’s no promise that registered voters, first time or otherwise, will show up on Nov. 6. Turnout of registered voters in Ohio was 71
percent in 2016. But voter turnout during midterm elections, the year directly in the middle of a president’s four-year team, is typically lower. Voter turnout in Ohio was just over 40 percent in 2014 and about 50 percent in 2010, according to the Ohio Secretary of State. The U.S. Census Bureau reports persons aged 18 to 29 have historically had the lowest turnout out of any age group. In 2016, less than 50 percent of eligible people cast a ballot, while more than 70 percent of voters over 65 did. But according to a Harvard Institute of Politics poll from April, an increasing amount of young voters say they plan to cast a ballot this year. “Overall, 37 percent of Americans under 30 indicate that they will ‘definitely be voting,’ compared to 23 percent who said the same in 2014, and 31 percent in 2010, the year of the last ‘wave’ election,” the Harvard report said. But a Gallup poll from September reported only 26 percent of those surveyed between 18 and 29 years old said they were “certain to vote.” Eighty-two percent of people older than 65 said they planned to vote. Regardless of her peers, Linzinmeir will vote this year. “I have a duty to vote because of all the women who historically fought for my right to vote,” she said. “I feel like I have to honor that. We need more women in politics. It’s a very male-dominated profession, and I want to see more women in politics.” Her message to people her age? “It’s our future, so we might as well have a say in it.”
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GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES Democratic Ticket
Richard Cordray (D)
• Born in Columbus, Ohio • Received his law degree from the University of Chicago • Has served in the Ohio House of Representatives, as Ohio’s Attorney General, as state Solicitor General, and as Treasurer of Franklin County, and as state Treasurer. • Appointed as first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Cordray wants to implement a State of Emergency for the opioid crisis and expand funding for prevention and treatment. He supports clean and renewable energy and investment in solar power. Cordray and Sutton also plan to provide tax incentives, grants, and loans for small businesses. They intend to appoint an Assistant Director of Food Policy and Rural Development and offer government-funded support to farmers. Cordray wants more transparency and accountability in health care and to ensure equal access. He and Sutton plan to require universal background checks for gun owners and to ban the sale of high-capacity magazines and bump stocks. Also, they want to increase the minimum age to 21 for firearm purchases.
Betty Sutton (D)
• Born in Barberton, Ohio • Received her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Kent State University • Graduated from University of Akron’s School of Law • Served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Ohio House of Representatives • Lead sponsor of the Josh Miller HEARTS Act to fund public schools for the purchase of automated external defibrillators
Libertarian Ticket
Travis M. Irvine (L) • From Bexley, Ohio • Ohio University graduate • Studied journalism at Columbia University • Ran for Mayor of Bexley • His political writings and videos have been featured on The Guardian, Vice, and The Huffington Post • Produces indie horror movies
Irvine and Grayson want to reduce government regulations and lower taxes for small businesses, along with closing private prisons and abolishing the death penalty in Ohio. Additionally, Irvine wants to legalize all forms of marijuana use, both medical and recreational. Irvine and Grayson want to have more private health care options available for Ohioans and are strong supporters of Second Amendment rights.
J. Todd Grayson (L) • From Fremont, Ohio • Graduated from Ohio State University’s Business Administration and Marketing program • Served for more than four years on Perrysburg City Council • Was the chair of the Health, Sanitation, and Public Utilities Committee • Co-owner of CrushProof Tubing Company, which sells rubber tubing
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s the head of state, the governor holds considerable control and influence over budgeting, official appointments, and legislation. The lieutenant governor serves as President of the Senate and oversees the movement of legislation. The governor and the lieutenant serve a four-year term.
Republican Ticket
Mike DeWine (R)
• Incumbent Attorney General • Born in Springfield, Ohio • Earned his law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law • Served in the U.S. Senate, as Lieutant Governor of Ohio, in the Ohio Senate, and in the U.S. House of Representatives • His family owns a minor league baseball team based in Asheville, NC
DeWine’s 12-step “Recovery Ohio” plan aims to combat the opioid epidemic by passing legislation to declare a public health emergency, create more drug courts, implement K-12 drug prevention education, and produce a statewide drug prevention media campaign. He also intends to investigate untested rape kits. In schools, DeWine and Husted hope to reduce standardized testing for students, modernize technology, and provide access to mental health care professionals, as well as increase access to early childhood education. They hope to provide health care for people with pre-existing conditions, as well as decrease pharmacy costs. DeWine and Husted want to improve the system for gun purchase background checks and analytics.
Jon Husted (R)
• Incumbent Secretary of State • Born in the Detroit area, but was raised in the village of Montpelier, Ohio • Earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The University of Dayton • Served on the Ohio Senate and in the Ohio House of Representatives • Became speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2005
Green Ticket
Constance Gadell-Newton (G) • Born in Belleville, Illinois, but grew up in Columbus, Ohio • Graduated from Ohio State University • Began her career as a criminal lawyer prosecuting war criminals in the Netherlands • Works as an attorney for teenage victims of human trafficking • An avid cyclist and trapeze performer
Gadell-Newton plans to revamp the state’s electoral process using ballot initiatives and other forms of direct democracy for legislative action. Also, Gadell-Newton and Joseph want to fight corruption and end pay-to-play politics with strict new campaign finance laws. Additionally, they want to strengthen employment laws for non-union workers and fund the development of municipal broadband in Ohio to strengthen internet access across the state. The duo plans to establish incentives to create a strong marijuana industry. In regards to the economy, GadellNewton and Joseph plan to phase in a universal basic income, increase Ohio’s minimum wage to $15 per hour, and institute single-payer health care for Ohio citizens.
Brett R. Joseph (L) • Lives in Lake County, Ohio • Works at Lorain County Community College as the sustainable agriculture program coordinator and as a permaculture instructor • Served as an environmental and international attorney with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Earned a Master’s in Psychology from Saybrook University in California • Owns a 26-acre farm
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STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
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tate representatives work at the state level in the legislative branch of government. The representative for the 94th district represents Athens County and legislates based on the district’s needs. They also serve on issue-based committees and represent varied legislation in the House of Representatives. State representatives are required to be a legal resident in their district, and be at least 21-years-old. State representatives serve a two-year term.
Jay Edwards (R)
Taylor Sappington (D)
• Raised in Nelsonville and graduated from Ohio University’s mathematics program • Supports increased funding for vocational and skilled trade schools • Member of the National Rifle Association • Takes a pro-life stance on abortion
• Nelsonville local who received his political science degree from Ohio University • Advocates for Ohio to provide debt-free education in public schools • Supports tax incentives for small businesses powered by renewable energy • Wants to disincentivize and ultimately make fracking and drilling obsolete
Jay Edwards is the incumbent state representative for the 94th district, up for his second term. On the issues, Edwards believes in revitalizing the Southeastern Ohio economy by investing in job training, including vocational schools and skilled trades. Edwards also opposes regulation and red tape that eliminates jobs and positions. According to his campaign website, Edwards believes that “students must be given the opportunity to pursue their passions and God-given talents.” He believes in making college education more affordable. To combat the opioid crisis, Edwards wants to give law enforcement officials the resources they need to keep drugs off streets and expand rehabilitation and counseling. He intends to protect Ohioans’ Second Amendment rights.
Prior to his Ohio House bid, Taylor Sappington served on Nelsonville City Council. He advocates for increased funding for local governments to bolster infrastructure in rural Ohio. Sappington wants to increase wages for low income workers and close unfair tax loopholes. He wants to lower the existing campaign finance contribution limit and reduce gerrymandering, which he says “can be heinous, and hurt small town, rural Americans the most.” Sappington wants to support clean energy by granting tax benefits to renewable energy companies. He also wants to build sustainable communities in Southeast Ohio by using renewable energy in the private sector.
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES
Sherrod Brown (D)
Jim Renacci (R)
Sherrod Brown is the incumbent senator from Mansfield, Ohio. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Yale University, and his two Master’s degrees from Ohio State University. On the issues, Brown advocates for improving education across the board, from preschool to postsecondary. Brown also wants to improve the workforce development system and ensure that all Ohioans have access to high quality education and are prepared for the workforce. He wants to promote small business expansion by strengthening lending programs and increasing exports.
Jim Renacci is from Western Pennsylvania and went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Renacci has been a U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 16th district since 2010. He also served as the mayor of Wadsworth, Ohio from 2004 to 2008. On the issues, Renacci is in favor of lower healthcare costs for everyone by increasing competition and eliminating unnecessary costs. Renacci is also in favor of education reform and plans to continue putting forward legislation that will create jobs and grow the economy.
U.S. HOUSE CANDIDATES
Steve Stivers (R)
A fourth-term congressman serving Ohio’s 15th district, Steve Stivers is a proponent of the Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which will require the government to control spending. He pushes to lower the cost of health care by creating price transparency. He wants to bolster the agriculture industry by removing red tape for farmers.
Rick Neal (D)
After college, Rick Neal joined the Peace Corps. He wants to increase the minimum wage to support working class people. Neal also wants to create training programs to help combat jobs lost to automation. Neal wants to end Republican attempts to thwart labor unionization, and he hopes to combat the opioid crisis by making fentanyl harder to get in Ohio.
Johnathan Miller (L) An Afghanistan veteran, Johnathan Miller is in favor of legalizing drugs, and also supports gun ownership. He supports the privatization of Social Security and wants to make the military more efficient. Miller also wants to make police reports for internal incidents or complaints mandatory, and he has constructed a FairTax plan.
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ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES Dave Yost is from Cleveland and is currently the Auditor of Ohio. Yost graduated from Ohio State University with a major in journalism, then became a private attorney after attending Capital University Law School. He won the first capital murder case in Delaware County history and he urged lawmakers to make it more difficult for special interest groups to influence amendments to the Ohio Constitution. He was also a delegate from Ohio at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Dave Yost (R) Steve Dettelbach is from Cleveland. He plans to add transparency and accountability to the redistricting process and end the culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment. In the past, he worked as a U.S. Attorney in Ohio where he fought against government corruption and human trafficking. He was also a prosecutor on the Department of Justice’s Northern Ohio Organized Crime and Corruption Strike Force. He also worked with the FBI to investigate Ku Klux Klan violence in Vidor, Texas. Steve Dettelbach (D)
STATE AUDITOR CANDIDATES
Zack Space (D)
Keith Faber (R)
Zack Space, a Columbus native, previously worked in the Ohio House of Representatives, serving Ohio’s 18th district. He hopes to rid politics of corruption and serve as a financial watchdog for citizens. He also wants to conduct performance audits to see how the state is spending tax money. Space served as a lawyer for 20 years prior to serving in public office.
Keith Faber is from Celina and graduated from Ohio State University. He is the current representative for Ohio’s 84th district. He wants to work with public agencies to make commonly requested public records accessible online. He also wants to help make public university spending more efficient. He is a fivetime recipient of the Watchdog of the Treasury Award.
Robert C. Coogan (L) Coogan attended Princeton University and Xavier University before becoming certified in Internal AuditorInactive. Coogan believes the top three issues facing the people in Ohio are remaining independent of conflicts of interest, needing taxes to be handled more efficiently, and the need to redistrict congressional and state legislative districts.
SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATES
Frank LaRose (R)
Kathleen Clyde (D)
Dustin R. Nanna (L)
Frank LaRose currently represents the 27th district in the Ohio Senate. He plans to combat voter fraud, uphold gun rights, and fight for the right to life. LaRose wants to increase transparency within campaign finance and remove government regulations that impede small business growth. LaRose previously served in the U.S. Special Forces as a Green Beret.
Kathleen Clyde currently represents the 75th district in the Ohio House. She plans to make voter registration more accessible and increase cybersecurity in the voting process. Clyde wants to improve the online business filing system, support small business owners, and combat gerrymandering. Clyde was a lead sponsor for Ohio’s Equal Pay Act in 2017.
Dustin Nanna was previously the youngest vice chairman of the Libertarian Party of Ohio at 23-years-old. He hopes to implement an automatic voter registration policy, so that the registration process is more convenient. He also wants to make online petitioning possible and change voting laws so there are more candidates and issue choices on the ballot.
STATE TREASURER CANDIDATES Rob Richardson is a Cincinnati Democrat. He hopes to keep an eye on businesses that misclassify workers to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. He also wants to partner with banks and credit unions to provide small business loans and encourage microlending, which are small loans issued by individuals. Former Gov. Ted Strickland asked Richardson to serve on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees after Richardson graduated from law school. Rob Richardson (D) Robert Sprague was previously the Findley City Treasurer and Auditor. If elected Ohio Treasurer, he plans to create a SMART online checkbook for taxpayers to closely analyze state agency spending, as well as implement more effective financial literacy programs in high schools. He also hopes to encourage private companies to invest in public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and airports. Sprague graduated seventh in his class from the University of North Carolina. Robert Sprague (R)
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COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES Lenny Eliason (D) • Has lived in Athens since 1989 • Received his Master’s in public administration from Ohio University • Past President of the County Commissioner Association in Ohio • Has been in office for 20 years
Bill Hayes
• Has lived in Athens for 25 years • Has a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology • He wanted to run in this election because he believes Athens is a resource rich area that could be used more effectively • He has worked as a semi-truck driver and traveled around the continental U.S. as a result
COUNTY AUDITOR CANDIDATES Dave Owen (D)
Jill A. Thompson (R)
• Studied accounting at Hocking College, but dropped out to provide for his family • Served as Chief Deputy Auditor • Has acted as Athens County auditor twice during transitional periods • Wants to help Ohio University students understand what resources are available through the County Auditor
• Has been the Athens County Auditor since October 2002 and is the second woman to hold the position • She studied finance at Ohio University and later received a Master’s in financial economics • Hopes to give students a better understanding of how government works outside the classroom
COUNTY TREASURER CANDIDATES Gary Van Meter (R)
Ric Wasserman (D)
• Born and raised in Athens County • Owns Van Meter Decorating • Was the previous Athens City Auditor and was elected for Athens City Council three times
• Was a business owner for 24 years • Holds a degree in communications from Ohio University • Worked to improve the Athens County Treasurer website so there are more payment options and a simplified user experience • Held leadership roles in many non-profit organizations in the area, including Planned Parenthood
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES Melissa M. Dahman
John P. Hagan
Kathleen Purdy
• Full-time college student at Walsh University • Worked on S.B. 314 with Sen. Joe Schiavoni to expand mental health resources • Wants to increase student involvement in education policy development • Inspired by the March For Our Lives movement
• Previously served as representative of the 50th district in the Ohio House and as a Marlboro Township Trustee • Daughter Christina Hagan currently serves as the representative of the 50th district in the Ohio House
• Has lived in the Alliance, Ohio area for 57 years • Honored with Stark County Bar Association Law-related Teacher of the Year award after two years of teaching middle school • Hopes to address costcutting reform for school districts by addressing unfunded state mandates
OHIO SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CANDIDATES PICK ONE: • Craig Baldwin is currently a judge on the Fifth Circuit of Appeals. Before that, he served as the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. • Michael P. Donnelly is the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Ohio General Division. He received his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
PICK ONE: • Mary DeGenaro is an incumbent member of the Ohio Supreme Court by appointment. She was a judge on the Seventh District Court of Appeals for 17 years. • Melody J. Stewart is a judge on the Eighth District Court of Appeals. Before her appointment, she taught law at a variety of different universities.
JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS CANDIDATES PICK ONE: • Marie Hoover is an incumbent member of the Fourth District Court of Appeals. Before her appointment, she was a Magistrate for the Portsmouth Municipal Court. • Jason P. Smith has worked in a private law practice for several years. He earned his law degree from Ohio State University and is a thirdgeneration lawyer.
PICK ONE: • Valarie K. Gerlach is the President of the Scioto County Bar Association, graduated first in her class from Capital University Law School, and served on Portsmouth City Council. • Mike Hess is the current prosecutor for the Village of Obetz. He studied law at Capital University Law School. Before his current position, he was a member of Circleville City Council.
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ISSUE 1
To Reduce Penalties for Crimes
Issue 1 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution. If passed, the amendment would allow prisoners not convicted of rape, child molestation, or murder to receive reduced sentences of up to 25 percent if they participate in rehabilitation, a work program, or an educational program. It would make the obtaining of, use of, or possession of controlled substances such as LSD or heroin a misdemeanor instead of a felony. The amendment would prohibit jail time for controlled substance offenses (described above) unless it is a person’s third offense within two years. It would allow those currently or previously convicted of controlled substance offenses before the passage of the amendment to appeal to a court to get their conviction reduced to a misdemeanor. It would require any savings made because of the amendment to be put into state rehab programs and crime victim funds. The amendment would require a series of responses to minor, non-criminal probation violations like community service, drug treatment, or jail time. The amendment requires a majority vote to pass. Issue 1 was proposed by the Ohio Safe and Healthy Communities Campaign, a subsection of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that advocates for criminal justice reform, police accountability, and healthcare.
ISSUE 3
Proposed Bond
Issue 3 is an Athens levy proposed by the Athens School board. If passed, a tax of $0.59 per $100 in property value and an additional 5 cents per $100 will be put into place. Proceeds from the tax increase will be put toward issuing bonds for the purpose of renovating, improving, and building facilities and additions for the Athens City School District. This tax could be in place for a maximum of 30 years. Proceeds from the tax would go toward funding permanent improvements for the Athens City School District. This tax will be continuous. Both taxes will be voted on by 33 precincts in Athens.
ISSUE 4 Issue 4 is an county-wide levy that will tax 5 cents per $100 in property value. Money from the levy will go toward the maintenance and operation of emergency medical services. This levy would last for 5 years, and is a renewal of an older levy. The levy would start in 2019 and be first due in 2020. A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage, and it will be voted on by all precincts in the county.
Proposed Renewed Tax Levy
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for Athens County
A renewal of a tax for the benefit of the County of Athens for the purpose of maintenance and operation of emergency medical services.
of Obtaining, Possessing, and Using Illegal Drugs
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Prohibit jail time as a sentence for obtaining, possessing, or using such drugs until an individual’s third offense within 24 months.
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Issue and Tax Levy for Athens City School District
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Issue bonds for the purpose of constructing school facilities and renovating, improving and constructing additions to school facilities under the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
ISSUE 5 Issue 5 is an Athens levy that will tax $0.03 per $100 in property value. Money from the levy will go toward the maintenance and operation of the Athens City-County Health Department. This levy would last for 10 years, and is replacing an older levy. It would take effect in 2019 and be first due in 2020. It will be voted on by all precincts in the county.
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Proposed Replacement Tax Levy for Athens City-County Health Department
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A replacement of a tax for the benefit of the County of Athens for the purpose of maintenance and operation of Athens City-County Health Department.
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Republican
Dave Yost
Democratic
Steve Dettelbach
For Attorney General
Write-in
Republican
Mike DeWine and Jon Husted
Democratic
Richard Cordray and Betty Sutton
Libertarian
Travis M. Irvine and J. Todd Grayson
Green
Constance Gadell-Newton and Brett R. Joseph
For Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Republican
Robert Sprague
Democratic
Rob Richardson
For Treasurer of State
Write-in
Republican
Frank LaRose
Democratic
Kathleen Clyde
Libertarian
Dustin R. Nanna
For Secretary of State
Republican
Keith Faber
Libertarian
Robert C. Coogan
Democratic
Zack Space
For Auditor of State
Michael P. Donnelly
Craig Baldwin
For Justice of the Supreme Court
John P. Hagan
Melissa M. Dahman
Kathleen Purdy
For Member of State Board of Education
Democratic
Ric Wasserman
Republican
Gary Van Meter
For County Treasurer
Republican
Jill A. Thompson
Democratic
Dave Owen
For County Auditor
MOCK GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT
LET’S PRACTICE!
No
Yes
Against the Tax Levy
For the Tax Levy
#3 Proposed Taxy Levy (Replacement)
Against the Tax Levy
For the Tax Levy
#4 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal)
Against the Bond Issue and Levy
For the Bond Issue and Levy
#3 Proposed Bond Issue and Tax Levy
Issue 1
Bill Hayes
Democratic
Lenny Eliason
For County Commissioner
Democratic
Taylor Sappington
Republican
Jay Edwards
For State Representative (94th District)
Democratic
Rick Neal
Libertarian
Johnathan Miller
Republican
Steve Stivers
For Representative to Congress (15th District)
Write-in
Mike Hess
Valarie K. Gerlach
For Judge of the Court of Appeals
Jason P. Smith
Marie Hoover
For Judge of the Court of Appeals
Melody J. Stewart
Jim Renacci
Republican
Democratic
Mary DeGenaro
For Justice of the Supreme Court
Sherrod Brown
For U.S. Senator
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urn your Voter’s Guide on its side and fill out this mock ballot, which is modeled after the ballot you’ll see in the voting booth. You can carry this guide in with you to your polling location. You are not required to vote for every candidate or ballot item. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
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