Mahoning County primary election voter guide — what you need to know right now
Monday, April 4, is the last day to register to vote in Ohio’s May 3 primary election. And barring any last-minute delays due to legislative redistricting, early voting is expected to begin the following Tuesday, April 5.
In this guide, you’ll find all the Mahoning County candidates and issues that will appear on county voters’ ballots. Many state races, however, won’t appear.
As Ohio’s disputes over new state legislative districts continue, Secretary of State Frank LaRose last week ordered county boards of elections to remove races for those districts from May 3 primary ballots.
That means voters won’t get to decide Ohio House and Senate races on the upcoming ballot — including Mahoning County’s contested primaries in the 58th and 59th House districts — but they can still choose party candidates for statewide offices like the governor and secretary of state, for county commissioner and for judge.
The state legislative races may still be rescheduled, possibly for August, according to LaRose’s office.
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: Mahoning County Board of Elections, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Suite 101, Youngstown, OH 44502.
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 May 3 primary election, your registration application must be received by mail, or delivered to the board of elections office, or online no later than Monday, April 4. Boards of elections offices are open until 9 p.m. on April 4.
Who can register to vote: U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on or before May 3, 2022, and a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.
If you’re already registered, should you check your 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 April 5.
When to request an absentee/mail-in ballot: You can request an absentee ballot now for the general election on May 3. 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 May 2, 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 Mahoning County, the absentee/mail-in ballot dropbox is located just outside entrance A of the Oakhill Renaissance Center at 345 Oak Hill Ave.
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, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Suite 101, Youngstown, which is expected to open for early voting on April 5, 28 days before Election Day. 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, April 5, to Friday, April 8: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, April 11, to Friday, April 15: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, April 12, to Friday, April 15: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, April 18, to Friday, April 22: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, April 25, to Friday, April 29: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 30: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, May 1: 1 to 5 p.m.
- Monday, May 2: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where do I vote on Election Day? On Election Day, May 3, 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. In previous years, 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 call Mahoning County’s election offices at 330-783-2474. Potential poll workers will be asked whether they are Democrat or Republican.
Still have questions? Here’s a list of frequently asked questions about voting in Ohio.
Below is a rundown of the races that will be on Mahoning County primary ballots. Your ballot will look different depending on where you live. You can look up your ballot here.
This election guide was produced with contributions from the Ohio media collaborative Your Voice Ohio.
Mahoning County Democratic candidates
County Commissioner (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Carol Rimedio-Righetti of Youngstown (incumbent)
Court of Common Pleas, General Division (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Anthony M. D’Apolito of New Springfield (incumbent)
This court’s jurisdiction covers all of Mahoning County.
7th District Court of Appeals (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Feb. 9, 2023
- Gene Donofrio of Canfield (incumbent)
This court’s jurisdiction includes Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe and Noble counties.
Ohio Democratic candidates
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- John Cranley and Teresa Fedor
- Nan Whaley and Cheryl L. Stephens
Attorney General (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Jeffrey A. Crossman
State Auditor (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Taylor Sappington
Secretary of State (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Chelsea Clark
State Treasurer (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Scott Schertzer
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Jennifer Brunner
Ohio Supreme Court Justice (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Terri Jamison
Ohio Supreme Court Justice (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 2, 2023
- Marilyn Zayas
U.S. Democratic candidates
U.S. Senator for Ohio
Six-year term beginning in 2023
- Morgan Harper
- Traci TJ Johnson
- Tim Ryan
U.S. Representative for the 6th District
Two-year term beginning in 2023
- Martin Alexander of Boardman
- Eric S. Jones of Austintown
- Louis G. Lyras of Campbell
- Shawna Roberts of Belmont [Note: Roberts withdrew from the race on Monday, May 2. Though her name will still appear on the ballot, votes cast for her will not count.]
Mahoning County Republican candidates
Mahoning County Commissioner (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Geno L. DiFabio Jr. of Youngstown
Mahoning County Auditor (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Ralph T. Meacham (incumbent)
Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 2, 2023
- Theresa Dellick of Canfield (incumbent)
This court’s jurisdiction covers all of Mahoning County.
7th District Court of Appeals (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Feb. 9, 2023
- Mark A. Hanni of Canfield
This court’s jurisdiction includes Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe and Noble counties.
Ohio Republican candidates
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Mike DeWine and Jon Husted (incumbents)
- Joe Blystone and Jeremiah W. Workman
- Ron Hood and Candice Keller
- Jim Renacci and Joe Knopp
Attorney General (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Dave Yost
State Auditor (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Keith Faber
Secretary of State
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Frank LaRose (incumbent)
- John Adams
State Treasurer (uncontested)
Four-year term beginning in 2023
- Robert Sprague (incumbent)
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Sharon L. Kennedy
Ohio Supreme Court Justice (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023
- Pat Fischer (incumbent)
Ohio Supreme Court Justice (uncontested)
Six-year term beginning Jan. 2, 2023
- Pat DeWine (incumbent)
U.S. Republican candidates
U.S. Senator for Ohio
Six-year term beginning in 2023
- Matt Dolan
- Mike Gibbons
- Josh Mandel
- Neil Patel
- Mark Pukita
- Jane Timken
- JD Vance
U.S. Representative for the 6th District
Two-year term beginning in 2023
- Bill Johnson of Marietta (incumbent)
- John Anderson of Enon
- Michael S. Morgenstern of Poland
- Gregory M. Zelenitz of Belmont
Mahoning County issues
Below are proposed levies and other issues up to voters on May 3, 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.
Alliance City School District
(Precinct SMT 2)
- Additional 2.7-mill, continuous levy for permanent improvements. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $94.50 more each year, indefinitely.
Campbell City
(All precincts)
- Additional 2.01-mill, continuous levy for fire services. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $70.35 more each year, indefinitely.
- Additional 5.35-mill, continuous levy for police services. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $187.25 more each year, indefinitely.
Canfield Local School District
(All Canfield city precincts; Boardman Township precincts 8 & 12; Beaver Township precinct 6; All Canfield Township precincts except part of precinct 3; Ellsworth Township)
- A 6.9-mill, 37-year bond issue generating $107.8 million for the construction, furnishing, equipping and renovating school district buildings. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $241.50 more each year; $8,935.50 over 37 years.
Cardinal Joint Fire District
(All Canfield city and township precincts)
- Additional 1.63-mill, continuous levy for fire services. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $57.07 more each year, indefinitely.
Coitsville Township
- Additional 5.5-mill, continuous levy for police services. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $192.50 more each year, indefinitely.
Hubbard Exempted Village Schools
(Part of Coitsville precinct 1)
- Renewal of a 5.15-mill, five-year levy generating $1,218,709 for emergency requirements. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would continue paying $180.25 each year; $901.25 over five years.
Jackson-Milton Local School District
(All precincts in Jackson, Milton and Ellsworth townships and Craig Beach village and part of Poland Township Precinct 1)
- Renewal of a 3.83-mill, five-year levy generating $988,485 to avoid an operating deficit. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would continue paying $134.05 each year; $670.25 over five years.
Lowellville Local School District
(All Lowellville Village precincts; part of Coitsville village Precinct 2; part of Poland Township Precinct 1)
- Additional 4-mill, five-year levy for permanent improvements. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $140 more each year; $700 over five years.
Sebring Village
(All precincts)
- Additional 1.5-mill, five-year levy for streets, roads and bridges. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $52.50 more each year; $262.50 over five years.
Struthers City School District
(All Struthers City precincts; Poland Township precincts 6 & 12 and part of Precinct 1; part of Coitsville Township Precinct 2)
- Additional 2.8-mill, five-year levy for permanent improvements. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $98 more each year; $490 over five years.
Liquor options
Austintown Precinct 3
Golden Star Theater, Mahoning Avenue: Sunday sales
Boardman Precinct 21
Bruno Brothers Pizza, Market Street: Sunday sales
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 2:54 PM.