Over 25% of registered voters in Butler County have already cast their votes for the 2024 election, according to Ohio live results.
Nicole Unzicker, director of the Butler County Board of Elections, predicts turnout this year is going to be similar to the 2020 election, despite lower voter registration rates.
“It could range from 73% to 74% [of registered voters],” Unzicker said. Early voting ends the Sunday before Election Day, when the board of elections will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Absentee ballots sent in by mail must be postmarked the day before the election, and ballots dropped off in person can be submitted until 7:30 p.m. on election day.
Important issues for some local candidates can be found here. Many politicians are focusing on issues like abortion, immigration and Ohio schools. Most of the candidates align with their parties on these issues.
Presidential race: 4-year term
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz: Democrat
Donald Trump and J.D. Vance: Republicam
Ohio Supreme Court Justice: 6-year term
- Race 1
Michael P. Donnelly: Democrat, who is a former lawyer and current Justice on Ohio Supreme Court
Megan E. Shanahan: Republican who is a Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge - Race 2
Joseph T. Deters: Republican, who is a current Ohio Supreme Court Justice
Melody J. Stewart: Democrat, who is a current Ohio Supreme Court Justice - Race 3
Lisa Forbes: Democrat who is a judge on the 8th district Court of Appeals
Daniel R. Hawkins: Republican, who is a Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge
US Senator: 6 year term
Donald Kissick: Libertarian
Bernie Moreno: Republican, who is a Cleveland businessman
Sherrod Brown: Democrat incumbent
U.S. Congress Representative (8th District):2 year term
Warren Davidson: Republican, who is the incumbent
Vanessa Enoch: Democrat, who is an adviser with a doctorate in public policy and social change.
Senator (4th District): 4 year term
Thomas Cooke: Democrat, who is a lieutenant colonel in the army and former military analyst
George Lang: Republican incumbent
State Representative (40th District) 2 year term
Bobbie Arnold: Democrat
Rodney Creech: Republican incumbent
State Representative (45th District) 2 year term
Jennifer Gross: Republican incumbent
Landon P. Meador: Democrat
State Representative (46th District) 2 year term
Thomas Hall: Republican incumbent
Benjamin McCall: Democrat, who is a workplace development agent
State Representative (47th District) 2 year term
Vanessa R. Cummings: Democrat who is a former vice mayor and city council member in Hamilton
Diane Mullins: Republican incumbent
County Commissioner 4 year term
Race One:
T.C. Rogers: Republican incumbent
Tamara Small: Democrat business owner
Race Two:
Donald Dixon: Republican incumbent
Chantel Raghu: Democrat who is vice mayor and city councilor in Oxford.
In some Butler County races, the candidates have no opposition. They include:
- Judge of 12th District Court of Appeals, 6 year term – Melena Siebert: Republican
- Prosecuting attorney: 4 year term – Michael T. Gmoser: Republican
- Clerk of Court of Common Pleas: 4 year term – Mary L. Swain: Republican
- Sheriff: 4 year term – Richard K. Jones: Republican
- County Recorder: 4 year term – Danny N. Crank: Republican
- County Treasurer: 4 year term – Michael McNamara: Republican
- County Engineer: 4 year term – Gregory Wilkens: Republican
- Coroner: 4 year term – Lisa K. Mannix
- County Auditor: 4 year term – Nancy Nix
- Common Pleas Court Judge: 6 year term:
- Race One – Kelly Heile
- Race Two – J. Gregory Howard
- County Court Judge Area II: 6 year term – Kevin C. McDonough
- County Court Judge Area III: 6 year term – Courtney Caparella-Kraemer
Local Issues and Levies:
Ohio Issue One: “Citizens, not Politicians” Redistricting Constitutional Amendment
This issue determines who will be in charge of state redistricting. The team is currently made of politicians, but if the issue passes this will be switched to a citizen team.
Local issues which will provide funding:
- Issue 2: City of Oxford: (Additional) – Fire – 2.6 mills/10 years
This will be a long term plan to help reduce the fire and EMS deficit. - Issue 3: Village of College Corner: (Renewal) – Police – 7 mills/5 years
- Issue 10: Lane Public Library: (Renewal) – Current expenses – .75 mill/continuing period of time. This renewal will continue to provide funding for Lane Library activities and functions.
- Issue 12: Mental Health Levy Butler County is slated to cost taxpayers $18 per $100,000 and collect $6.6 million as stated by the county auditor’s office. The levy has been in discussion for months, as an attempt to inject more cash flow into the mental health services industry. The current mental health services operate on federal, local, and state funding – but currently over half of its revenue comes from a 39 year old levy – established in 1985.
A complete list of candidates and issues can be found here. Unzicker says it is important to stay informed on ballot issues.
“That’s a big one we’ve been pushing this election, is to get that accurate information,” Unzicker said.
Additional information on issues and polling locations can be found on the Board of Elections website.
Information for this story was also gathered by Azul Cook, Olivia Patel and Diego Smith.
