SANDUSKY — Early in-person voting is under way at the Erie County Board of Elections, 2900 Columbus Ave., Room 101 in Sandusky, and the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election ballot is headlined by a contested race for county commissioner and two countywide levy renewals.
Democrat Mindy Kayl is challenging Republican Commissioner Steve Shoffner, who has held the seat since 2019. Kayl, a Vermilion resident who works as a city pool manager, brings an environmental-science and small-business background to the race, which tops the county ticket.
The auditor’s race is also contested: Republican Richard Jeffrey, in office since 2011, faces Democrat Paul Meisel. For judge of the Court of Common Pleas, general division, for a term beginning Feb. 9, 2027, Thomas M. Dusza is the only candidate on the ballot.
Issue 6 asks voters to renew the county levy for community addiction services and mental health services: 0.7 mill for 10 years, commencing in 2027 and first due in 2028, estimated to raise $1,555,645 a year at about $15 per $100,000 of property value. Issue 7 renews the Erie County General Health District levy: 0.2 mill for five years, commencing in 2027, estimated at $504,712 a year, about $5 per $100,000.
School and township questions include a new 4.9-mill operating levy for Sandusky City Schools, which would raise about $3.4 million a year — about $172 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home. The district says it is the first new operating money it has requested since 2012. Margaretta Local Schools is asking for an $11 million bond issue — averaging 2.15 mills, about $76 per $100,000 — to build a natatorium and fitness/multipurpose center, and Margaretta Township seeks renewal of a 2-mill fire and EMS levy, an estimated $258,965 a year, for five years.
In the 89th Ohio House District, Republican Caleb Stidham faces Democrat Easton Michael Retzke, and in the 9th Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur faces Republican Derek Merrin.
Statewide, Ohio voters will choose a governor — Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Democrat Amy Acton or Libertarian Don Kissick — and decide a U.S. Senate race between Republican Jon Husted, Democrat Sherrod Brown and Libertarian William B. Redpath. Also on the ballot are attorney general (Keith Faber vs. John J. Kulewicz), auditor of state (Frank LaRose vs. Annette Blackwell), secretary of state (Robert Sprague vs. Allison Russo), treasurer (Jay Edwards vs. Seth Walsh), two Ohio Supreme Court seats, and State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require photo identification to vote.
Early in-person voting continues at the board of elections office in Sandusky from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Oct. 23, then expands: Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Oct. 28–30 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. Absentee ballot applications are due by 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 27, and voted absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Voters must show photo identification, and polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.