Columbiana County voter guide: What you need to know now
We'll be updating this voter guide through the election season. Don't see the information you want or need here? Email us your question at news@mahoningmatters.com
In this guide:
- What you need to know now
- The candidates on your ballot
- The questions and issues, like tax levies, on your ballot
What you need to know now
How to register to vote: You can click here to register online. You can also download an application from the Secretary of State website, print it, and mail it to: Columbiana County Board of Elections, 7989 Dickey Drive, Suite 3, Lisbon, OH 44432.
Documents you need to register online: Ohio driver's license or state ID with number; name; date of birth; address; last four digits of your Social Security number.
When to register to vote: To vote in the Nov. 2 election, your registration application must be received by mail, or delivered to the board of elections office, or online no later than Monday, Oct. 4. Boards of elections offices are open Oct. 4 until 9 p.m.
Who can register to vote: U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on or before Nov. 2, 2021, and a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.
If I'm already registered, should I check my voter registration?: Yes. You can do so at the Secretary of State website.
How to request an absentee/mail-in ballot: If you choose not to vote at a public polling location on Election Day, you can request a ballot in advance — called absentee voting. Voters can click here to print the form from the Secretary of State website. Though the board of elections may have received your application, it won't start mailing absentee ballots until Oct. 5.
When to request an absentee/mail-in ballot: You can request an absentee ballot now for the general election on Nov. 2. The window to request is open until three days before the election but in practicality that deadline leaves little time for the postal service to get the ballot to you and for you to return it.
When and how to return an absentee/mail-in ballot: Your completed ballot must be postmarked — at the latest — by Nov. 1, the day before the election. Placing the ballot in a mailbox does not guarantee that it will be postmarked. Deliver it personally to a post office and request that it be marked. It's your responsibility to make sure it has enough postage. Alternatively, you can drop it off in person at your county board of elections during business hours and before the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. You don't have to wait until Election Day to deliver.
In Columbiana County, the absentee ballot dropbox is a gray box with American flag stickers to the left of the elections office's main entrance at 7989 Dickey Drive, Suite 3. It has a sign reading, "Absentee Ballots and Election Dropbox."
Can I track my absentee/mail-in ballot? Yes. Click here to track your absentee ballot on the county board of elections website.
How, where and when to vote early in-person: You can vote early at the county elections office, 7989 Dickey Drive, Suite 3, Lisbon, which will open for early voting Oct. 5, 28 days before Election Day (Nov. 2). You'll need identification, such as a driver's license, bank statement, utility bill, pay stub, military or state ID to vote.
All Ohio board of elections offices have extended hours to accommodate early voters:
• Tuesday, Oct. 5 to Friday, Oct. 8: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 11: Columbus Day [elections offices will be closed]
• Tuesday, Oct. 12 to Friday, Oct. 15: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 18 to Friday, Oct. 22: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 25 to Friday, Oct. 29: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 30: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 31: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where do I vote on Election Day? On Election Day, Nov. 2, you'll visit your polling place to vote in-person. If you're already registered to vote, you can look up your polling place on the county elections board's website. If you've already cast an absentee or mail-in ballot or voted early in-person, you won't be able to vote on Election Day.
How to be a poll worker: Ohio relies on 35,000 registered, bipartisan voters to work the polls on Election Day. Because many poll workers are of retirement age, they face increased health risks due to COVID-19. Last year, there was high interest in expanding the hiring pool to include younger people. Pay varies by county.
Click here to sign up to be a poll worker. You can also download an application and find other poll worker resources on the Columbiana County elections board website. You can also call the county elections office at 330-424-1448 and ask to speak to a poll workers coordinator.
Still have questions? Here's a list of other links and resources for Columbiana County voting.
This election guide was produced with contributions from the Ohio media collaborative Your Voice Ohio.
Candidates
Here's a rundown of every race in Columbiana County. Your ballot will look different depending on where you live. You can look up your ballot here. We'll be updating this list with a look at the key races, so check back.
City races
Columbiana Mayor (uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Rick Noel (R, incumbent)
Columbiana Councilperson (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Amanda J. Banner (R, incumbent)
Daniel P. Bekar (R, incumbent)
Ted Souder (R, incumbent)
East Liverpool President of Council (elect one, uncontested)
Full two-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
John A. Torma (D, incumbent)
East Liverpool Treasurer (elect one)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Deborah L. Fickes (D, write-in, incumbent)
Terry Sprague (R, write-in)
East Liverpool Councilperson At-Large (elect three, uncontested)
Full two-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
John T. Mercer (D, incumbent)
Robert Nizer Jr.
Brian E. Kerr
East Liverpool 1st Ward Councilperson (elect one)
Full two-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Raymond Perorazio (incumbent)
Tom Beagle
East Liverpool 2nd Ward Councilperson (elect one, uncontested)
Full two-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
C. Fred Rayl (incumbent)
East Liverpool 3rd Ward Councilperson (elect one, uncontested)
Full two-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jeffrey Kreefer (incumbent)
East Liverpool 4th Ward Councilperson (elect one, uncontested)
Full two-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Scott Barrett (nonpartisan, incumbent)
Salem President of Council (elect one, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Thomas F. Baker (R, incumbent)
Salem Treasurer (elect one, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Tod A. Mumpire (R)
Salem At-Large Councilperson (elect three, uncontested)
Jacob Gano (R, incumbent)
Andrew Null (R, incumbent)
Sara E. Baronzzi (R, appointed)
Village races
East Palestine Councilperson (elect three)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Douglas Simpson (incumbent)
Don Elzer
Thomas Anthony Povenski Jr.
Jessica Rocco
Hanoverton Councilperson (elect four, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Gwendolyn Huff (incumbent)
Keith Kaiser (incumbent)
David L. Phillips (incumbent)
Zach Kennedy
Leetonia Councilperson (elect four, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
William G. Garlough (D, incumbent)
Ashley M. Johnson (write-in)
Richard W. Newton II (write-in)
Suzanne Tobuck (nonpartisan)
Libson Councilperson (elect four)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jerry A. Cox (incumbent)
Tom Darcy (incumbent)
Susan Temple (R, incumbent)
Ryan Berg (R)
Don Grimm
Melissa M. Hiner (R)
Tammy Roberts (R)
Lisbon Board of Public Affairs (elect one, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
[No certified candidates]
Minerva Councilperson (elect two, Stark County has more electors)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Mason Boldizar (incumbent)
Joe Frazier
Jennifer Jordan
Nicholas Willoughby
New Waterford Councilperson (elect four, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Thomas Cresanto (incumbent)
Cynthia A. Doran (incumbent)
Patricia A. Finch (incumbent)
Trish Wilson
Rogers Mayor (elect one, uncontested)
Unexpired term ending Dec. 31 2023
Amy Burkey (incumbent)
Rogers Councilperson (elect four, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Terry Burkey
Renee McRoberts
Barbara Todd
Salineville Councilperson (elect four, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Nancy Needham (incumbent)
Pamela A. Tedeschi (incumbent)
Salineville Board of Public Affairs (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Chad J. Bettis
Summitville Councilperson (elect four, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
[No certified candidates]
Washingtonville Councilperson (elect four)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Herman C. Frank III (incumbent)
Peggy S. Frank (incumbent)
Allen Vignon (incumbent)
Leo Slagle
Jim Smith
Wellsville Mayor (elect one)
Unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2023
Randall S. Allmon (R, appointed incumbent)
Robert D. Boley (D)
Bradley W. Elliott
Jack Cataldo (write-in)
Wellsville Councilperson (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Maia Amato (R, appointed incumbent)
William Taft
Township races
Butler Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Matthew S. Hall (incumbent)
Thomas G. Sanor (incumbent)
Center Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Rex Underwood (incumbent)
Greg Shive (incumbent)
Elkrun Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Kurt Seachrist (incumbent)
Anthony Sweeney (incumbent)
Fairfield Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Bob Hum (incumbent)
Barry A. Miner (incumbent)
Franklin Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Mike Lutz (incumbent)
Joe Medure (incumbent)
Steven A. Ketchum
Jonathan Sabatino
Hanover Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jason T. Raymond (incumbent)
John S. Zehentbauer (incumbent)
Knox Trustee (elect three)
Two full four-year terms commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Gregory Carver (incumbent)
Matthew Johnston (incumbent)
Michael J. Estock
One unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2023 (uncontested)
John Ed. Barnhart (incumbent)
Liverpool Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
D. Mike Bahen (incumbent)
Dennis Giambroni (incumbent)
Brian T. Miller
Liverpool Fiscal Officer (elect one, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Shirley L. Flati (incumbent)
Madison Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Bruce Barret (incumbent)
Wayne Chamberlain (incumbent)
Middleton Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jack E. Johnston Jr. (incumbent)
Gregory A. Lipp (incumbent)
Janine Evans
Riley A. Pancake
Perry Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
James Armeni Sr. (incumbent)
Anthony Colian
Tony Ieropoli
Sal Salvino
Salem Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
William Heston (incumbent)
John Wilms (incumbent)
Neal Bayless
John Gasparik
Tony Maroni
Joe Merritt
St. Clair Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
James Sabatini II (incumbent)
Robert M. Swickard (incumbent)
Doug Blaner
Unity Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Bryan R. Henderson (incumbent)
Kathy McCarthy (incumbent)
David J. Mollenkopf
Washington Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Charles Jarvis (incumbent)
Timothy Rhodes
K. (Karianne) Sevek
Wayne Trustee (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Edward J. Dailey (incumbent)
Jim May (incumbent)
West Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Dale L. Lowmiller (incumbent)
Ray C. Davis
Brian L. McKarns
Todd A. Wright
Yellow Creek Township Trustee (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Mark Allison (incumbent)
Noah C. Allison (incumbent)
Elmer J. McBane
School board races
Alliance City Schools (elect three, uncontested; Stark County has more electors)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
William L. Koch (incumbent)
Lori Kumler (incumbent)
Tyler Kinser
Beaver Local Schools (elect two)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jerry Barnett (incumbent)
Greg Eisenhart (incumbent)
Wynton L. Rayford
Richard B. Saphore
Columbiana County Educational Service Center (elect five, uncontested)
Three full four-year terms commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Robert Marra (incumbent)
Jackie Mercer (incumbent)
Richard L. Stoudt (incumbent)
Two unexpired terms ending Dec. 31, 2023
Aaron W. Hinchliffe
Columbiana Exempted Village Schools (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Scott W. Caron (incumbent)
Michael J. Clark (incumbent)
Kelly Williamson
Crestview Local Schools (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Edward J. Miller (incumbent)
Melissa Wellman (incumbent)
East Liverpool City Schools (elect three, uncontested)
Two full four-year terms commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Matt Handley (incumbent)
Larry H. Walton (incumbent)
One unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2023
Tamar Cooper
East Palestine City Schools (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Rube Ginder (incumbent)
Donald Carson
Elizabeth McTrustry
Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio (elect three, uncontested; Mahoning County has more electors)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jeff Good of Salem (incumbent)
Kathy McNabb Welsh of Boardman (incumbent)
Richard S. Scarsella of Boardman (incumbent)
Leetona Exempted Village Schools (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Larry Duko (incumbent)
Michael Henderson (incumbent)
Jennifer B. Merritt (incumbent)
Lisbon Exempted Village Schools (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
T.K. Hiscox (incumbent)
Gary Peruchetti Sr. (incumbent)
Charles Bell
Minerva Local Schools (elect three, uncontested; Stark County has more electors)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Susan B. Crawford (incumbent)
Robert Foltz (incumbent)
Thomas M. Freeland (incumbent)
Salem City Schools (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Carol Hrvatin (incumbent)
Theodore S. Bricker (incumbent)
Southern Local Schools (elect four)
Three full four-year terms commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Robert Kip Dowling (incumbent)
Linda M. Morris (incumbent)
John R. Sawyer (incumbent)
James Scott Hart (unexpired incumbent)
One unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2023 (uncontested)
Karl C. Blissenbach
Stark County Educational Service Center (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Jim Holmes (incumbent)
Fran Miller (incumbent)
Barbara Morgan (incumbent)
United Local Schools (elect three, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Wendy Doyle (incumbent)
Denise Rhodes (incumbent)
Ruth Ann Rinto (incumbent)
Wellsville Local Schools (elect two, uncontested)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Chris Amato (incumbent)
John Morrow (incumbent)
West Branch Local Schools (elect three, Mahoning County has more electors)
Full four-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2022
Bryan Hobbins (incumbent)
Courtney Stryffeler (incumbent)
Joe Courtwright
David M. Yaggi
Questions and Issues
Below are proposed levies up to voters on Nov. 2, along with generalized estimates of their annual costs to taxpayers. You can use our levy calculator spreadsheet to get a more accurate estimate of how much each measure would cost you if it passes.
Butler Township
Additional 0.75-mill, five-year levy for emergency services
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $26.25 per year; $131.25 over five years.
Renewal of 3-mill, five-year levy for roads
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $105 per year; $525 over five years.
Center Township
Renewal of 0.286-mill, five-year levy for fire services
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $10.01 per year; $50.05 over five years.
East Liverpool City
Renewal of 2-mill, five-year levy for Carnegie Public Library
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $70 per year; $350 over five years.
East Palestine Village
Renewal of 2-mill, five-year levy for police services
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $70 per year; $350 over five years.
Charter amendments pursuant to village ordinance No. 13-2021, the contents of which are not available on the village's website, nor in meeting minutes, which haven't been made available online since 2018.
Fairfield Township
Renewal of 1.6-mill, five-year levy for roads and bridges
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $56 per year; $280 over five years.
Knox Township
Renewal of 1.5-mill, five-year levy for roads
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $52.50 per year; $262.50 over five years.
Middleton Township
Renewal of 1-mill, five-year levy, with an additional increase of 2.22 mills, for fire services
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 currently pays $35 per year and would begin paying an extra $77.70 per year, for a total of $112.70 per year; $563.50 over five years.
New Waterford Village
Additional 1-percent income tax for general operations, capital improvements, police, fire and first responder services
A person living in the village making the median income of $27,731 a year would pay an extra $277.31 per year.
Perry Township
Renewal of 1-mill, five-year levy for police services
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $35 per year; $175 over five years.
Rogers Village
Renewal of 2-mill, five-year levy for current expenses
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $70 per year; $350 over five years.
Salem Township
Additional 1-mill, five-year levy for Northwest Fire District
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would pay an extra $35 per year; $175 over five years.
Renewal of 0.9-mill, five-year levy for roads
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $31.50 per year; $157.50 over five years.
St. Clair Township
Additional 2-mill, continuous levy for roads and bridges
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would pay an extra $70 per year indefinitely.
Unity Township
Renewal of 2-mill, five-year levy for the road district
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $70 per year; $350 over five years.
Renewal of 1.5-mill, five-year levy for the fire district
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $52.50 per year; $262.50 over five years.
Wayne Township
Replacement of 3-mill, five-year levy for fire services
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would instead pay $105 per year; $525 over five years. Replacing a levy allows it to be tied to current tax rates, meaning property owners could effectively pay more, even under the same millage.
West Township
Renewal of 3-mill, five-year levy for roads
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $105 per year; $525 over five years.
School districts
Alliance City Schools (Stark County has more electors)
Renewal of 2-mill, five-year levy for capital improvements
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $70 per year; $350 over five years.
Minerva Local Schools (Stark County has more electors)
Renewal of 6-mill, 10-year levy to meet emergency requirements
The owner of a property valued at $100,000 would continue paying $210 per year; $2,100 over 10 years.
Liquor options
Salem Precinct 2-A
Suburban Market, New Garden Avenue: Sunday sales.
This story was originally published August 28, 2021 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Columbiana County voter guide: What you need to know now."