Early voting option available
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Early voting for the May 2 Primary Election in Washington County is under way, having started on Tuesday and continuing through 2 p.m. on May 1.
There are seven temporary polling place location changes and one that will be a permanent move, according to Peggy Byers, deputy director of the Washington County Board of Elections.
"This is typically a low-turnout election, though we do encourage people to get out and vote in primaries, because they are important, too," said Byers. "Because of it being a lower turnout, we made the choice not to open as many buildings. It's a cost savings because we are using fewer materials."
Director Mandy Amos said there have been 20 people who have voted so far at the Board of Elections since Tuesday.
Anyone who is unsure of where they vote can look up their precinct on the Board of Elections website. There is also the ability to view a ballot by clicking on the "Am I
Registered" lookup tool. Officials said now is also the time to make sure you update your address so that you are voting in the correct school district.
"The reason this is a primary for the City of Marietta is because there are people on the ballot," explained Byers. "For everyone else in the county, it is just a special election."
There are 10 candidates on the various ballots and nine issues, including five school levies and four township emergency services levies, depending on where residents live.
Republican incumbent Cindy Oxender is hoping to retain her at-large Marietta council seat, with Republicans Stephen Harper, Austin James and David Locke also vying for the three at-large positions. She has been in campaign mode since announcing her reelection bid, she said.
"I am getting signs out and speaking to taxpayers about things that are of importance to them," Oxender said. "I have a really good team and I'm lucky in that respect."
The 1st Ward council primary race in Marietta is between Democrat Mike Scales and Jeffrey Schultheis, also running as a Democrat. The Republican 4th Ward ballot also lists a write-in candidate for 4th Ward who will challenge Democrat Geoff Schenkel in November. Byers said the candidate's name is Jamey Styer, though he will not be listed by name on the ballot. Voters in wards with more than one candidate of a political party vying for the same seat have the choice of requesting a Republican ballot, a Democratic ballot or an issues-only ballot. All other council seats will be voted on in the general election in November.
Voters in the City of Marietta will have three issues to vote on, including the proposed municipal income tax, which will increase taxes on those who are employed in the city by one-half of a percent annually, and two Marietta City Schools renewal levies, which will not result in tax increases.
The city's finance committee chair Tom Vukovic, D-4th Ward, has said that the city is currently operating on the same level of income tax revenue as it was in 1987; however, the cost of services such as fire trucks, police cruisers, street repair and cemetery maintenance have all increased.
"We don't have enough money to support our cost structures; we would have to cut positions which would ultimately lead to degradation of services," said Bill Dauber, assistant safety-service director for the City of Marietta. "How do you determine where to make those cuts? That would create some tough choices and would be a discussion to have later on."
The proposed increase from 1.7 percent to 2.2 percent would cost someone with an annual salary of $40,000 approximately $880 per year. That's an increase of $200.
Voters in the Warren Local school district can vote on a bond issue for the construction and renovation of a new school and an additional property tax that the state mandates must accompany the issue.
"The way I see it, this isn't about buildings, this is about giving our kids the opportunity to thrive," said Jered Mitchem, chair of the Warren Levy committee, a parent and a resident.
This is the second attempt for this bond issue which, if passed, would mean a new high school, a new elementary school and renovations to the middle school. Seventy-two percent of the project would be paid for by the state, leaving $23 million for taxpayers. That results in $155 a year in taxes on a $100,000 home.
"The schools have outlived their useful life and the need for repairs is coming faster than we can deal with them," Mitchem said.
When to vote
¯ Early voting for the May 2 election
– 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Week of Election Day
– 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Saturday before Election Day
– 1 to 5 p.m. on the Sunday before Election Day
– 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Monday before Election Day
¯ Absentee
Applications available at washingtongov.org/boe
Precinct changes
¯ Fearing Township: Church of the Nazarene.
¯ Lawrence Township: Marietta Township Recreation Center.
¯ Marietta East A: Marietta Township Recreation Center (permanent).
¯ Muskingum East B: Marietta Bible Center.
¯ Muskingum West: Knights of Columbus Hall.
¯ Palmer Township: Watertown Volunteer Fire Department.
¯ Warren South: Pinehurst Christian Church.
¯ Wesley Township: Cutler Community Center.
Source: Washington County Board of Elections.