Election 2023: What's on the ballot in Marion County this year?
It seems like election cycle never stops spinning, and 2023 will be no different with local elected offices up for grabs across Ohio.
With the deadline for partisan candidates to file petitions to get on the May 2 primary/special election ballot approaching on Feb. 1, only two individuals in Marion County have thus far made their intentions public. Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer, a Democrat, announced last week that he will not seek a fifth term in office, but former Marion Police Chief Bill Collins, a Republican, announced that he will be running for mayor of Marion.
In addition to the mayor's office, all nine seats on Marion City Council plus the president of city council, law director, auditor, and Marion Municipal Court judge's position will be on the local election ballot this year. The treasurer is not on the ballot this year. The term for that office expires Dec. 31, 2025.
The 6th Ward seat on city council, currently held by Councilman Mike Neff, will have a new representative come 2024. In the wake of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city had to redistrict, resulting in the 4th Ward, 5th Ward, and 6th Ward each undergoing changes to even up the population in each ward.
The most significant change occurred in the 6th Ward, where two blocks were transferred to the 5th Ward. One of the blocks that was moved to the 5th Ward included the 800 block of East Center Street where Neff, a Republican, lives.
By party affiliation, Marion city officeholders break in favor of Republicans. Republicans hold a 6-3 super-majority over Democrats on city council. Marion Municipal Court Judge Teresa Ballinger and Treasurer Tommy Reese are also Republicans.
Mayor Schertzer, as previously mentioned, and Law Director Mark Russell are Democrats.
Auditor Miranda Meginness was appointed to the position by the Republican Party Central Committee after former Auditor Robert Landon, also a Republican, resigned in November 2021. However, she has publicly stated that she will run as an independent this year as she seeks a full term in office.
The Marion mayor, law director, and auditor serve four-year terms. City council president and members of city council serve two-year terms. The Marion Municipal Court judge serves a six-year term.
Township and village offices and board of education positions are scheduled to be on the ballot this year, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's website. One township trustee and the fiscal officer for each township in Marion County will be voted on by residents in the general election. Township officials serve four-year terms.
Here's a look at the offices that will be on the ballot this year in each of Marion County's seven villages:
Caledonia - mayor, clerk/treasurer, two of the six village council seats, and two of the three seats on the board of public affairs
Green Camp - mayor and two of the six village council seats
La Rue - mayor, two of the six village council seats, and two of the three seats on the board of public affairs
Morral - mayor and two of the six village council seats
New Bloomington - mayor and two of the six village council seats
Prospect - mayor, clerk/treasurer, and two of the six village council seats
Waldo - mayor, clerk/treasurer, two of the six village council seats, and two of the three seats on the board of public affairs
Elgin, Ridgedale, and River Valley local school boards each have two seats that expire this year, while Marion City and Pleasant each have three seats expiring.
All township, village, and school board positions are nonpartisan and serve four-year terms. The deadline to file petitions to run in these races is 4 p.m. on Aug. 9.
Local options and tax issues could also be on the ballot for voters to consider. The River Valley Local School District has already announced that it will have two tax issues on the May 2 primary/special election ballot.
The deadline to register to vote in the May 2 primary/special election is April 3. Early in-person absentee voting will begin on April 4.
For information about elections in Marion County, go to the board of elections website www.boe.ohio.gov/marion. For information about statewide elections, go to VoteOhio.gov.
Candidate information class Jan. 24
The Marion County Board of Elections will host an candidate/campaign finance information class for anyone interested in running for public office. The two-hour class is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the Prospect Room located on the lower level of the Marion County Building, 222 W. Center St. Those wishing to attend must register by 4 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Topics for discussion will include general information about elections, candidate qualifications, how to properly file petitions to run for office, and campaign finance. Participants in the candidate class will receive a packet that includes a copy of the 2023 Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide, the 2023 Ohio Campaign Finance Reporting Calendar, a copy of the Ohio Campaign Finance Report, and a copy of the Ohio Ethics Commission's Financial Disclosure Statement.
Information about how to access the Ohio Elections Commission website is also provided. Another handout will provide information about candidate petition pre-checks. For information, go to the board of elections website.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Election 2023: What's on the ballot in Marion County this year?
