Voters around Ohio will choose a new governor this year, and many other important local issues and races will be decided in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Early in-person voting began Tuesday, Oct. 6, for the General Election, giving registered voters several weeks to cast their ballots before Election Day.

Voting is available at the Logan County Board of Elections, 225 S. Main St., Bellefontaine. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the early-voting schedule also includes extended evening and weekend hours later this month.

Locally, two issues appear on the countywide ballot for voters to consider.

The first is a five-year, 2-mill additional levy requested by the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The estimated cost for a homeowner with an auditor-appraised value of $100,000 is approximately $5.83 per month.

The second countywide issue is a five-year renewal levy request by the Logan County Board of Commissioners for the 0.5 percent sales and use tax. The 0.5 percent sales tax for roads and bridges was first passed in 1997, and if approved by voters again, the funds are divided as follows:

• 25 percent- County roads and bridges and stormwater within the right-of-way;

• 25 percent - Logan County Sheriff’s Office;

• 20 percent - Township roads and bridges and stormwater within the right-of-way;

• 20 percent- Municipal roads and bridges and stormwater within the right-of-way;

• 10 percent - Economic development and land use planning.

Bellefontaine City Schools also has a levy on the ballot – a 1 percent earned income tax, which would begin collections Jan. 1, 2027, if it gains voter approval. The continuing levy is projected to generate approximately $3.5 million per year for current expenses.

Several other levies are on the ballot across the county, including:

• Indian Lake Joint Ambulance District, an additional property tax, 8 mills for five years.

• McArthur Township, excluding Huntsville, Fire Protection, renewal property tax, 1.25 mills for five years.

• Village of West Liberty, renewal of property tax, 5 mills for five years.

The only contested countywide race locally is for the Logan County Family Court Judge seat, for a term commencing Feb. 9, 2027, and featuring a family connection between the two candidates - sisters-in-law Sarah J. Warren and Miranda Warren.

According to the Logan County Board of Elections, early in-person voting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 9; Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Oct. 16; and Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 23.

Additional voting hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26; 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27; 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Oct. 30; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

There is no early in-person voting Monday, Nov. 2. Voters who wait until Election Day must vote at their assigned polling location, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Voters casting ballots early should take an accepted photo ID, such as an Ohio driver's license, state ID card, interim ID issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. military ID, Ohio National Guard ID or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID.

The Logan County Board of Elections notes that an unexpired Ohio driver's license, state ID card or interim documentation with a former address is acceptable if the voter's current address appears in the poll book.

Absentee ballot applications may be downloaded from the board's website and returned to the elections office. Voters also may request an application by emailing [email protected] with their name, mailing address, contact information and the number of applications needed, or by calling the office at (937) 599-7255.