November 7 General Election serves up uncontested Bluffton offices, state issues on abortion and marijuana

Section: Regional news

/ Nov 04, 2023

By Paula Scott

The November 7 general election will present the following ballot items to voters in the Bluffton School district, the Village of Bluffton, Richland Township and Orange Township.

All Village and Bluffton Schools public offices have only one candidate on the ballot and in some cases only write-in candidates. Bluffton Mayor Richard Johnson told the Icon that while he is running unopposed, he welcomes “votes of confidence” from the residents of Bluffton.

While uncontested races might not draw a significant number of voters, Ohio Issues 1 and 2 regarding an abortion and reproductive rights amendment and the legalizaiton of marajuana are expected to interest voters.

Bluffton area polling places include The Centre/Bluffton Community, 601 N. Main (Bluffton Precincts A-B-C), Emmanuel United Church, 8375 N. Phillips Rd. (Richland Twp. Precincts A-B), Jenera Community Park Building, 18800 OH-698, Jenera (Orange Township).

Polling hours are 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

The following details come from sample ballots provided by the Allen County and Hancock County boards of elections. Click these links to find your specific ballot.

Village of Bluffton

For Mayor (Vote for not more than 1)
- Richard L. Johnson, Republican

For Member of Council (Vote for not more than 2)
- Joe Sehlhorst [Write-in]
- Benjamin Stahl [Write-in]

Bluffton Exempted Village School District

For Member of Board of Education (Vote for not more than 2)
- Alice M. Basinger
- Jeremy Scoles

Ohio

Issue 1
A Self-Executing Amendment Relating to Abortion and Other Reproductive Decisions Proposed Constitutional Amendment Proposed by Initiative Petition To enact Section 22 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio A majority yes vote is necessary for the amendment to pass.

Issue 2
To Commercialize, Regulate, Legalize, and Tax the Adult Use of Cannabis Proposed Law Proposed by Initiative Petition To enact Chapter 3780 of the Ohio Revised Code A majority yes vote is necessary for the law to pass.

ALLEN COUNTY

Allen County, City of Lima

For Municipal Court Judge (Vote for not more than 1)
- John R. Payne

Richland Township

For Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 1)
- Michael D. Zimmerly

For Township Fiscal Officer (Vote for not more than 1)
- Larry Hoffman

Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties

Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties. A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

HANCOCK COUNTY

Orange Township

For Township Trustee (Elect 1)
- Thomas E. Green

For Township Trustee (Unexpired term ending 12/31/2025, Elect 1)
- Thomas D. Wagner

For Township Fiscal Officer (Elect 1)
- Bart A. Moser

Findlay Municipal Court

For Judge (Elect 1)
- Stephanie Bishop (R)

Governing Board of the Hancock County Educational Service Center

For Board of Education Member (Elect 2)
- Karen Flanagan
- Terry Huffman
- Justin M. Shank

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THURS., NOV. 21 MCDONALD'S HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT: Girls Basketball _ 6:00 PM Arlington vs Allen East _ 7:15 PM Bluffton vs Cory-Rawson