Ohioans looking to cast their vote early will be able to do so beginning Tuesday morning.

While many races in Muskingum County are uncontested, some positions such as city council at-large, township trustee and school board races are not. Voters will also be deciding on both countywide and local tax levies.

Traditionally, in years in which the president, governor or county level officials are not on the ballot, turnout is drastically lower. This year is likely to not be an exception.

Only two of the county’s six local school boards have contested races, New Concord is the only village where candidates outnumber open positions and just Zanesville City Council at-large seats are being challenged. A mixture of township trustees and fiscal officers are also facing opposition.

While many voters will choose to vote in person at their local polling place on election day, November 2, Ohio law requires that the local Board of Election makes it possible to vote early.

Voters will have two ways in which they can do that, in person at the board’s offices in downtown Zanesville or by mail.

To vote by mail, the registered voter will need to fill out an absentee ballot application and mail it in or hand deliver it. Once the board receives and processes the request, they will mail the appropriate ballot to the voter to be cast and returned.

Early voting in person will begin taking place on Tuesday, October 5, at 8 a.m. The timeline of available dates and hours will be provided below at the end of the article.

Zanesville City Council

Muskingum County’s only city, Zanesville, will have mostly uncontested races this November besides five candidates campaigning for three at large positions.

Current council-at-large members Ann Gildow, Joey Pennybaker Osborn and Rob Sharrer will all three seak re-election along with Kyle Johnson and Al Zakany II in which all five compete for the three open positions.

In the city’s first ward, Mark Baker will re-run for his position unopposed. In its second ward, Jan Bradshaw will re-run unopposed as well. In its third ward, Todd E. Ware will return to run unopposed.

In its fourth ward, Sandra D Gentry will not seek re-election. She will instead be replaced by Brad Wolfe who is running unopposed.

In the city’s fifth ward, Steven Foreman will re-run for his position unopposed. In its sixth, Andrew Roberts will also re-run unopposed.

Zanesville’s president of council, an elected position, will see Dan Vincent re-run unopposed.

School Boards

Only two school boards have contested races, Maysville and Tri-Valley.

At Maysville, school board member Kerry Hartman is seeking re-election, board member Sandra Rucker did not. Three other candidates, Dylan Daniels, Cynthia K. Rucker and Matthew S. Wilhite will be vying for two open seats on the board.

At Tri-Valley, both current school board president, Eddie (Edwin) Jason Brock, and board member Martha K Prince did not seek re-election. Former school board member Jason P. Schaumleffel is seeking to return. Two other candidates, Andrea Frueh Collet and Luke Davis will contend for two open seats on their board as well.

At Zanesville, both school board president Vicky Lu French and board member Scott T Bunting did not seek re-election. Candidates Lori Y. Lee and Janet Johnson Long are running unopposed for the two open available seats.

At West Muskingum, both school board members Valerie Gutridge and Jeffrey Dale Hill did not seek re-election. School board president Bryan Melsheimer and Dan Ankrum are campaigning for two of three open seats. Donald E. Riley had filed a petition, but it was invalidated by the board of elections. No write-in campaigns were filed, therefore, in January 2022, the school board will have to appoint someone to the vacant position.

At East Muskingum, both school board president Matt Abbott and school board member Shala Zemba are running unopposed for two open positions.

At Franklin Local, school board member Larry L McCutcheon did not seek re-election. School board president Marc (Marcus) Craig Carpenter and Kyle W. Trout are running unopposed for two open available seats.

The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center will see both Brian D. Hill and Barbara Hansen seek re-election unopposed for two open seats.

Villages and Mayors

The only village in Muskingum County to have a contested race is New Concord. Most others struggled to even have enough candidates file for the number of open positions.

The most populous village, New Concord, will see five candidates vying for four open positions. Appointed council members Robert E Baier Sr. and Ronald Scott Sabino will not seek re-election. Council member Steven Wootton and appointed council member Kristi Kearns will. Three other candidates, WM Troy Cole, Stan Taylor and Jim Whitehair will contend for four open seats. Mayor Jennifer Lyle’s term does not expire until December 31, 2023.

In Dresden, council member Larry Lee King and appointed council member Robert Rhett Butler will not seek re-election. Council member Rhonda U. Holdren, appointed council member Brandon R. Bronkar and one other candidate, Pam Bice, will run unopposed for three of four open seats. No write-in campaigns were filed, therefore, in January 2022, the council will have to appoint someone to the vacant position. Mayor Gregory A Morrison’s term does not expire until December 31, 2023.

In Frazeysburg, appointed council member Robert Joseph Hindel is not seeking re-election. Council members G. Robert Haines and Terry Swartz as well as appointed council member Fred R. Wolford Jr. are running unopposed for three of four open positions. No write-in campaigns were filed, therefore, in January 2022, the council will have to appoint someone to the vacant position. Mayor Gerald R Howard’s filed to re-run, but his petition was invalidated by the board of elections.

As of January 2022, only one of six seats will be occupied on the Fultonham Village Council. Currently, there are two vacant positions, one of which is up this year. Appointed council member Connie Jo Turner did not seek re-election. Council members Joshua Ames and Duncan Yarnall did however, their petitions were both invalidated by the board of elections. Two other candidates, Colin Turner and Shiasa Verner filed as well, but they were both also invalidated. No write-in petitions were filed. Four seats are open this November, but there will be no candidates to select. Council Member Christina Marie Turner will be the sole remaining member at the beginning of next year. It is currently unclear if she would have the authority to appoint all five other open positions. Current Fultonham Mayor, Brad Turner, attempted to run for re-election, but his petition was invalidated by the board of elections.

In Gratiot, there are currently two vacant seats, one of which is up this year. Council members Connie L Bioyd, Melanie Garey and Paul W Tyo are not seeking re-election. Only one person filed for candidacy, Darryl McGrew, who is a write-in. There are a total of four open positions this year. No other write-in campaigns were filed. As of January 2022, only council member Mandi D Garey and McGrew will be seated. They will have to appoint four positions. As with Fultonham, it is unclear if they have the legal authority to appoint all four positions. Mayor Melanie J Kish’s term does not expire until December 31, 2023.

In Norwich, appointed council member Bryce Wittenbroo Love will not seek re-election. Council members Jerry Allison, Karen L. Cole and Redge A. Wilde will run uncontested along for three of the four open positions. Dustin M. Smart had filed to run, but his petition was invalidated by the board of elections. No write-in campaigns were filed. The council will have to appoint someone to the one vacant position in January of 2022. Mayor Melissa West’s term does not expire until December 31, 2023.

In Philo, appointed council member Caralee Tracie Danison will not seek re-election, there is also one vacant seat, which is up this year. Current council member Ryan Braglin will campaign unopposed for one of four open positions. Current council member Michael Boysel filed to run, but his petition was invalidated by the board of elections. No write-in petitions were filed. Three positions will remain vacant and require appointments in January 2022. Mayor Troy L Coen’s term does not expire until December 31, 2023.

In Roseville, council member Joni Lynn Spears and appointed council member Daniel R Serrell had both previously resigned. Neither Council member Danny Lee Williams nor council member Nancy Kristine Williams are seeking re-election. Recently appointed council members Vickie S. Gussler and Kurt A. Torres along with Shirley J. Allen are running unopposed for three of four open positions. No write-in petitions were filed. One vacant position will require an appointment in January of 2022. Mayor Bryan Stickel is running unopposed for the unexpired term created by the resignation of former Mayor Darrin L Strate. Stickel was previously the president of the council.

In South Zanesville, council member Kenneth G Mills and appointed council member John Edward Roberts will not be seeking re-election. Council members Greg Gibson and Kimberly St. Clair will run unopposed for two of the four open council positions. Council member Kyle Coconis and Michael A. Nunley had both filed to run, but each had their petitions invalidated by the board of elections. No write-in campaigns were filed. Council will need to fill the two vacancies in January 2022. Mayor Barbara J Lloyd’s term does not expire until December 31, 2023.

In Adamsville, no one filed for either mayor or council. Vacant positions would be filled in January 2022. Y-City News was unable to verify how many members currently remain on the council.

Editors Note: Three villages, Dresden, Frazeysburg and Philo, have boards of public affairs, only Philo had anyone run. Dennis Fraley will run unopposed to fulfill that position. He had previously been appointed to serve in that role.

Township Trustees and Fiscal Officers

Each of the 25 townships in Muskingum County have trustee elections this year, three, Madison Township, Salem Township Township and Washington Township, also have fiscal officers on the ballot.

Adams Township will see appointed township trustee Garry Lee Vernon disembark from his position while trustee Roger Hogue and Robert B. Vernon run uncontested for the two open seats.

Blue Rock Township will also see one of its trustees disembark. Trustee Jerry Ray Frame will not seek re-election while trustee Dana J. Johnson will run again along with Robert C. Frame for two open seats.

Brush Creek Township will have a contested race where trustees William Daniels and Ron Fitz are seeking re-election along with Matthew Evans and Mike Moomaw Jr. The four will compete for two open positions.

Cass Township will have trustee Nancy C Cameron not seeking re-election. Trustee Randy Stotts filed to re-run but his petition was invalidated by the board of elections. Drake L. Prouty will be the only option, out of two open positions, on the ballot as no write-in candidates filed for candidacy. Trustees will have to fill the vacant trustee position in January 2022.

Clay Township will have trustee Kevin Miller seeking re-election. Trustee Donald W. Fluharty had submitted a petition to rerun, but it was invalidated by the board of election. Miller will run uncontested alongside Jack L. Brown, a write-in candidate, for the two open seats. Jared W. Riggs had also filed a petition, but he was also invalidated by the board of elections.

Falls Township will have incumbent trustees Chuck Archer and Steve Dillon running unopposed for the two open available seats.

Harrison Township had appointed trustee William Thomas Green not seek re-election while trustee Dennis Coen filed to rerun, but his petition was invalidated by the board of elections. Steve Bell will be the sole candidate on the ballot out of two open positions. Nathan Atkins also filed to run, but his petition was also invalidated by the board of elections. Trustees will have to appoint someone to the vacant position in January 2022.

Highland Township will have four contesters for two open positions. Trustees Ronald Barr Sr. and Kelvin D. Funk will both seek re-election along with Kevin W. Funk and Randy Morrow. Craig Lake also submitted a petition, but his was invalidated by the board of elections.

Hopewell Township will see trustee Edward D Hill not seek re-election. Trustee Roger A. Gard along with Jeff Hill and Jeffery Roberts will compete for the two open positions.

Jackson Township will have incumbent trustees Tye E. Hunter and Paul A. Vensil running unopposed for the two available positions. Jillian M. Flowers filed a petition, but it was invalidated by the board of elections.

Jefferson Township will see trustee Dale Allen Ferrell not seek re-election. Trustee Jeffrey Garver along with Brandon Alexander, Corry Cameron, and Phillip A. Young will vie for the two open seats. Nick Beach and Shain Girton both also submitted petitions, but each had theirs invalidated by the board of elections.

Licking Township will have trustee Paul A. Dunfee and trustee Wayne Kilpatrick seeking re-election along with Tim Lowe for two open positions. Bob Hahn and Brandon Storer both also submitted petitions, but each had theirs invalidated by the board of elections.

Madison Township will have trustees Ralph W. Carnes and Kevin Spiker seeking re-election along with Sean Murphy for two open positions. Madison Township also has a fiscal officer position up for election. Appointed fiscal officer Jody A. Little will run unopposed for that position.

Meigs Township will have trustees Stephen Zane Bradley Sr. and Rodney E. Dingey along with Joseph D. Fell Sr. and Josey Rayner vying for two open seats.

Monroe Township had both trustee Casey Harriman and appointed trustee Robert B. McCort sought re-election, but each had their petitions invalided by the board of elections. Brian B. Adair and Robert J. Adair Sr., who filed as a write-in, will instead run unopposed for the two open positions.

Muskingum Township will have trustees Ed Fell and Michael G. Maniaci seeking re-election along with Shadley Delancy for two open seats.

Newton Township will have trustee Jim Smith and appointed trustee Charles Randy Elson vying for re-election along with Kevin Curry, Larken Slack and Brandon Stackhouse for two open positions.

Perry Township will have incumbent trustees David Danison and Gary L. Hursey running unopposed for the two open available seats.

Rich Hill Township will also have incumbent trustees Clayton E. Dawson and Darren K. Founds running unopposed for the two open available positions.

Salem Township will also see incumbent trustees James Knipe and Steven Matthews running unopposed for the two open available seats. Salem Township also has a fiscal officer position up for election. Appointed fiscal officer Cindy Echelberry will run unopposed for that position.

Salt Creek Township will have trustees L. Kevin Deal and Charles W. Klies running unopposed for the two open seats.

Springfield Township will have three candidates vying for two open positions. Trustees Mark. L Burrier and Jarret Jay Daniels will seek re-election along with Justin H. Sode.

Union Township will have trustee Michael Jordan running unopposed for one of the two open seats. Trustee Rick Neff also filed a petition, but it was invalidated by the board of elections. Trustees will have to fill the one vacant position in January 2022.

Washington Township will have incumbent trustees Douglas Culbertson and Matt Grimm running unopposed for the two open seats. Washington Township also has a fiscal officer position up for election. Appointed fiscal officer Joni Howard will run unopposed for that position.

Wayne Township will have four candidates vying for two open positions. Trustee Daniel G Durant did not seek re-election. Trustee Steve Tyo along with Donald G. Alexander, Gary Sheets and John Swingle will seek the two open available seats.

Countywide Tax Levies

Note: Counties in Ohio use what is referred to as a ‘mill,’ which is $1.00 of tax for each $1,000 of assessment. Roughly, 0.1 mills are equal to $7 per $100,000 of assessment per year.

The Muskingum County Center for Seniors will seek a 0.5 mill, 5 years, renewal to provide facilities for senior citizen services. Roughly, that is $35 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

The Muskingum Valley Park District is seeking an additional tax levy of 0.2 mils, 5 years, for parks, trails and recreation. Roughly, that is $14 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Township Tax Levies

Blue Rock Township will seek a 0.4 mill, 5 year, renewal levy to support the maintaining and operating of its cemeteries. Roughly, that is $28 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Cass Township will see a 0.5 mill, 5 year, renewal levy to support its fire protection and ambulance or emergency medical services. Roughly, that is $35 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Clay Township will seek a 0.75 mill, 5 year, renewal levy to support its fire protection and ambulance or emergency medical services. Roughly, that is $52.50 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

The Village of Dresden will seek approval to issue $600,000 in bonds for street paving and resurfacing. It was be levied at 3.2 mills over 10 years. Roughly, that is $224 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Jackson Township will seek a 2.5 mill, 5 year, renewal levy to support its fire protection and ambulance or emergency medical services. Roughly, that is $175 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Licking Township will seek a 1 mill, 5 year, renewal levy to support its general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges. Roughly, that is $70 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

The Village of Philo will seek an additional tax levy of 7.25 mills, 5 year, levy for the current expenses to maintain, operate and repair bridges and streets. Roughly, that is $507.50 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Rich Hill Township will seek a decreased tax renewal levy of 0.75 mills, 5 years, to support its fire protection and ambulance or emergency medical services. The reduction is 0.25 mills. Roughly, that is $52.50 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment. The township will also seek a 0.25 mill, 5 year, tax levy renewal to support its maintenance and operation of township cemeteries. Roughly, that is $17.50 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

The Village of South Zanesville will seek a 2.5 mill, 5 year, tax levy renewal to support its fire protection and ambulance or emergency medical services. Roughly, that is $175 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Washington Township will have a 2.5 mill, 5 year, renewal tax levy to support its fire protection and ambulance or emergency medical services. Roughly, that is $175 of tax per year on each $100,000 of assessment.

Local Options

Clay Precinct: BellStores Inc., doing business as Roseville BellStores, located at 84 North Main Street, Roseville, will seek approval from voters for the Sunday sale of wine and mix beverages.

Rolling Plains Precinct: Athena Victoria, LLC, doing business as Maxwell’s Drive-Thru, located at 2755-59 Maysville Pike Zanesville, will seek approval from voters the approval to sell spirituous liquor. They will also seek approval for the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages as well as spirituous liquor, should it be approved.

Washington C Precinct: Zemba Bros Petroleum Services LLC, located at 2497 East Pike, Zanesville, will seek approval from voters the approval to sell spirituous liquor. They will also seek approval for the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages as well as spirituous liquor, should it be approved.

Early in-person voting hours are as followed:

Tuesday, October 5 through Friday, October 8: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Tuesday, October 12 through Friday, October 15: 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Monday, October 18 through Friday, October 22: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Monday, October 25 through Friday, October 29: 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 30: 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Sunday, October 31: 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Monday, November 1: 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Early in-person voting takes place at the Muskingum County Board of Elections headquarters located in downtown Zanesville at 627 Market Street.

Note: The Muskingum County Commissioners have required that masks be worn in all county owned buildings, therefore, anyone voting early in person will be required to wear a mask.