COLUMBUS, Ohio – A light turnout is expected as Ohio voters head to the polls today with very few high-profile races or statewide issues on the ballot.
The polls close at 7:30 p.m.
Columbus school officials hope voters can look past last year’s data-rigging scandal when they go to the polls today. Issue 50 is a 9-mill levy request that would fund the school district’s operations, enact programs to improve student achievement and fix up school buildings. It would also supply some money to high-performing charter schools.
School issues are becoming more difficult to pass while becoming more common, according to the progressive think tank Innovation Ohio.
“There are lots of people who don’t wish our children ill, they would love to provide kids with more money. But particularly older people living on incomes that are fixed, oftentimes they feel that they just can’t afford more property taxes,” communications director Dale Butland said.
In the November 2012 election, the group’s research found voters turned down the majority of new levy requests. There has been a 27 percent increase in requests for new money from school districts since Gov. John Kasich’s first budget cut funding for education by $1.8 billion dollars, Butland said.
While the budget passed this summer included increases in overall school funding and a $250 million fund for grants to reward education innovation, Butland says three out of four Ohio school districts have less state revenue than they did three years ago.
Issue 51 would create an independent auditor position for the Columbus schools to oversee finances and record-keeping.
In addition to a school levy in Upper Arlington, there are several issues to be decided in central Ohio suburbs. Voters in Berkshire Township in Delaware County will decide whether to overturn their trustees’ decision to rezone land for an outlet mall. A levy in Buckeye Lake could signal the end of its fire services if voters say no. Gahanna voters will decide an income tax hike for city services, along with a tax credit for residents who work in another city.
Federal observers will monitor elections in two northeast Ohio counties to ensure there are no violations of the Voting Rights Act. A statement from the U.S. Justice Department says observers will monitor polling places in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties but did not immediately provide details on the reason.
Voters in Cleveland will decide between current Mayor Frank Jackson and businessman Ken Lanci.
Hamilton County elections officials are expecting good turnout after a high-profile mayoral race between Cincinnati Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls and former City Councilman John Cranley.
Toledo’s mayor is making a bid for another term against a wave of backlash over his support of Ohio Kasich’s attempt to limit the bargaining ability of public union employees. Political independent Mike Bell is seeking a second term against independent city councilman D. Michael Collins, a retired police officer who has the backing of several labor unions.