Election Day 2022 in Licking County: What's on the ballot?
NEWARK − Licking County may hit 60% voter turnout in Tuesday’s general election, which would be the first time in several mid-terms when voter participation reached that level.
In 2018, the Licking County mid-term election turnout finished at 57%. The previous participation rates in mid-terms were 43% in 2014, 52% in 2010 and 58% in 2006. To reach 60%, about 75,000 of the 125,376 registered voters would need to cast ballots. Four years ago, 69,832 voted out of 121,698 registered.
“If we hit 60%, that would make me happy,” Licking County Board of Elections Director Luke Burton said. “That would be a good projection.”
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The total of all early votes and absentee ballot requests totaled 25,075 after Sunday’s voting, Burton said. Four years ago, that number was 24,086. Early voting in the lower level of the Licking County Administration Building ended at 2 p.m. Monday.
Burton said it appears in-office voting has become more popular and mail-in voting less popular, compared to four years ago.
“It seems that’s true statewide,” Burton said. “A clear shift that more people come in person, for sure. But, we haven’t had the long lines, really, at any point. Not a wait at all. It's been steady. A little line as usual on Sunday, but even then all were lined up in the room, so we never had people out in the hallway.”
Before Monday’s six hours of in-office voting, more than 9,000 Licking Countians had cast their ballots at the County Administration Building in downtown Newark. Another 16,584 requested absentee ballots, with 13,669 returned, as of Sunday.
Voters will choose candidates for U.S. Senate and U.S. House, governor, Ohio House, Ohio Supreme Court, judges and a county commissioner in the election.
They will also decide 40 ballot issues, including two amendments to the state constitution, four on school taxes, 13 affecting township taxes, two on village taxes, a township zoning amendment, a fire district tax and two in a recreation district. Also, nine city charter amendments and six liquor options will appear on ballots.
The race for Licking County commissioner pits incumbent Rick Black, R-Union Township, against Gail Herold, D-Pataskala. Black said it's his final election, while Herold is in her first campaign for office. Republican Mike Smith is unopposed for county auditor. Duke Frost is unopposed for Licking County Common Pleas Domestic Court judge.
Voters will choose either Kevin Miller, R-Newark, or Charlotte Owens, D-Lithopolis, for 69th Ohio House District representative. In the 68th Ohio House District, Thad Claggett, R-Newark, faces write-in challenger Daniel Crawford, of Newark.
For U.S. Congress, incumbent Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, seeks reelection against Amy Rippel-Elton, D-Newark.
The closest race on the ballot may be for U.S. Senate, where Republican J.D. Vance faces Democrat Tim Ryan in the battle to replace Republican Rob Portman, who did not seek another term. Incumbent Mike DeWine, a Republican, faces Nan Whaley, a Democrat, for governor.
The polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Election Day 2022 in Licking County: What's on the ballot?
