FREMONT, Ohio — Sandusky County’s Nov. 3 ballot puts two commissioner seats, three countywide levy renewals and a school bond issue before voters as early voting continues at the Board of Elections, 2020 Countryside Drive in Fremont. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The commissioner races have dominated the campaign season, with the county’s $4.3 million 2026 budget shortfall the central issue at candidate forums. Four candidates are running for two seats: for a full term commencing Jan. 1, 2027, Republican Richard J. Farmer II, who owns the Fremont Speedway and serves as a Ballville Township trustee, faces Democrat Kurtis A. Kuhl, an Army National Guard veteran and CDL truck driver. For an unexpired term ending Jan. 2, 2029, Democrat Jill A. Simpson, president and CEO of the United Way of Sandusky County, faces Republican Justin C. Smith.
The countywide levy questions are all renewals. The county criminal justice services levy would be renewed at 0.55 mill, estimated to collect $857,563 annually, or $14 for each $100,000 of market value, for five years commencing in 2027. The Park District levy would be renewed at 1 mill, collecting an estimated $1,461,911 a year, or $20 for each $100,000 of appraised value, for 10 years commencing in 2027 — the second straight renewal with no increase, nearly two decades at the same millage. Voters will also renew the 911 District levy at 0.3 mill, estimated at $410,768 annually, or $6 per $100,000 of market value, for five years commencing in 2026, funding equipment and operations of the countywide 911 system.
On the bench, the general division of the Court of Common Pleas has a contested race between Jon M. Ickes and Kimberly Ontko, while Jeremiah Ray is unopposed for a second general division seat and Brad Smith is the only candidate for the probate and juvenile division. Republican David W. Freitag is unopposed for county auditor, Republican Michael R. Goulding is unopposed for one Sixth District Court of Appeals seat, and Democrat Myron C. Duhart faces Republican CJ Kamm for the other.
Township and village voters will see a long list of five-year renewals, including fire protection levies in Ballville, Green Creek, Sandusky and Scott townships, cemetery levies, road levies and Green Springs’ 3-mill additional fire protection levy at an estimated $69,080 a year. The Margaretta Local School District is asking voters to authorize $11 million in bonds for a natatorium and fitness and multipurpose center, repaid over up to 20 years with an average levy of about 2.15 mills, or $76 per $100,000 of market value. The Old Fort Local School District seeks renewal of its combined 6.3-mill operating and permanent improvement levy.
In the legislature, Republican Gary Click faces Democrat Aaron W. Jones in the 88th House District. The 5th Congressional District race is a three-way contest among Republican incumbent Bob Latta, Democrat Brian A. Shaver and Libertarian Michael J. Veloff. Statewide, voters will choose between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton for governor and between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted for an unexpired U.S. Senate term, plus State Issue 3 on adding Ohio’s photo ID voting requirements to the state constitution.
Early in-person voting follows the statewide schedule: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, extended hours during the last week, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. There is no early voting on Monday, Nov. 2. Absentee ballot applications must be received by 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and mail ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Bring an accepted photo ID, such as an Ohio driver’s license, state ID card or U.S. passport, when voting in person.