30-04-2025
Director Brian Swartzwelder does not expect large turnout for May 6 primary
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Brian Swartzwelder, director of the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, does not anticipate a large turnout locally for the May 6 primary, which features tax issues but no candidates.
"I'm not anticipating it to be really busy, possibly in the area where they have school levies. New Philadelphia and Strasburg could be steady," he said.
More on election: Want to vote in May 6 primary election? Registration ends Monday, voting starts Tuesday
New Philadelphia City Schools will have a 5.9-mill bond issue to build new school buildings, and Strasburg-Franklin Local Schools will have a 3.6-mill bond issue to revamp the district's athletic and band facilities.
There will be one statewide issue on the ballot, Issue 2. It is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution to float bonds for up to 30-year periods for public infrastructure projects for roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, stormwater and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities. The total bonds that could be issued would be limited to $2.5 billion over 10 years. Any principal amount that could have been issued in any prior fiscal year, but was not issued, may subsequently be issued.
For many residents, Issue 2 will be the only thing to appear on the ballot, Swartzwelder said.
There is still time for people to vote early at the Board of Elections office in the basement of the Tuscarawas County Courthouse in New Philadelphia. The office will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through May 2. It will also be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3, and 1 to 5 p.m. May 4.
The board has mailed out more than 1,000 absentee ballots to residents, and nearly 800 have voted in person at the courthouse. April 28 was the board's busiest day, when nearly 90 people came in to cast ballots, he said.
All polling places in Tuscarawas County will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Residents will need state- or federally issued photo identification to vote.
● Bolivar ‒ 1.5-mill renewal for police protection.
● Dover Township (including Parral) ‒ 1.5-mill additional for fire protection and emergency medical services.
● Dover Township Precinct 40 (local option) ‒ Sunset Meadows doing business as Bella Vista, on and off premises sale of alcohol and Sunday sales of wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquors.
● Gnadenhutten Library ‒ 1 mill renewal for current expenses.
● Lawrence Township ‒ 3-mill renewal for fire and EMS.
● Mineral City ‒ 0.75% increase in the village income tax.
● Sugar Creek Township (excluding village of Sugarcreek) ‒ 1.8-mill replacement for fire and EMS.
● Uhrichsville ‒ 2-mill renewal for fire protection; 2.85-mill renewal for ambulance and EMS service.
● Union Cemetery (Uhrichsville, Dennison and Mill Township) ‒ 0.48-mill renewal for operating expenses.
● Warwick Township (including village of Tuscarawas) ‒ 1.5-mill replacement for ambulance and emergency medical services.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tax issues dominate May 6 primary ballot in Tuscarawas County
