Elections board certifies Aug. 2 primary; sets races and issue numbers for November

The Lorain County Board of Elections certified the results of the Aug. 2 primary election at its meeting Tuesday, and announced a recount of a Republican State Central Committee race. Official results are now posted on the Board of Elections website. The results of the 13th District Republican State Central Committeewoman contest between incumbent Patty Stein and challenger Jean Anderson falls within the margin for an automatic recount — less than one-half of 1 percent, according to Elections Director Paul Adams. The district includes Lorain, Erie and Huron counties, so Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office is expected to order a recount under Ohio law. The candidates will be notified of the date and time of the recount in Lorain County after it has been ordered, according to Adams. The board unanimously accepted 99.2 percent of all absentee ballots and 83.3 percent of all provisional ballots. The board unanimously rejected an absentee ballot because the signature on it did not match the signature the board had on file for the voter, and referred it to the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office for investigation. "The nonmatching signature on the identification envelope of the absentee ballot appears to have been signed by another member of the household," according to Elections Director Paul Adams. Five additional provisional ballots were rejected because the voters had already voted early and in person at the Board of Elections offices, "and then the next month went to the polls," according to Adams. The board also numbered the 49 issues on the November ballot. Among them are Issue 7, a 0.5-mill, five-year renewal for Lorain County 911. Issue 8 is a 0.08-mill, five-year renewal for criminal justice services including the Lorain County Drug Task Force. Issue 9 is a 0.6-mill, five-year renewal for mental health and addiction services through the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County. Issue 10 is a 2.1-mill, 10-year renewal for Lorain County Community College. Local races on the ballot in November include: Incumbent Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy, a Democrat, is facing a challenge from Republican businessman Jeffrey Riddell. Incumbent Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican businessman Rodger Roeser, owner of The Eisen Agency in Sheffield. Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Rothgery and Domestic Relations Judge Sherry Glass, both incumbent Democrats, are unopposed for reelection. Regional races on the ballot: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, is facing Democratic challenger and Upper Sandusky businessman Craig Swartz for Ohio's 5th Congressional District seat. Anthony Eliopoulos, a Lorain Democrat and former staffer for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, is challenging incumbent Republican state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville. Incumbent Republican state Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, is facing a challenge from Regan Phillips, a North Ridgeville Democrat and administrative assistant to Elyria City Clerk of Council. Incumbent state Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, is facing a challenge from Republican businessman Marty Gallagher of Avon Lake. Democratic challenger and Oberlin City Council member Bryan Burgess is challenging incumbent state Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk. Republican Scot Stevenson is challenging incumbent Judge Thomas Teodosio, a Democrat, for a seat on the Ninth District Court of Appeals. Incumbent Republican Ninth District Judge Donna Carr is challenged by Democrat and Summit County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Erica Voorhees. Democrat Amber Crowe, a Summit County Juvenile Court magistrate, and Barberton Municipal Judge Jill Flag Lanzinger, a Republican, are vying for a seat on the Ninth District Court of Appeals. Statewide races on the ballot include: Incumbent Republicans Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted facing a challenge from Democrats Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton, and her running mate Cheryl Stephens, a member of Cuyahoga County Council. Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles versus Republican author J.D. Vance, to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Dave Yost facing a challenge from state Rep. Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma. Incumbent Republican Auditor of State Keith Faber facing a challenge from Democrat Nelsonville City Auditor Taylor Sappington. LaRose, the incumbent Republican secretary of state, facing a challenge from Forest Park (Hamilton County) City Councilwoman Chelsea Clark, a Democrat, and independent candidate Terpsehore "Tore" Maras, a podcaster who has pushed conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. Incumbent Republican State Treasurer Robert Sprague versus Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer, a Democrat. Democratic Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner versus Justice Sharon Kennedy to replace retiring Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor. Incumbent Republican Supreme Court Justice Pat Fischer versus Democrat Teri Jamison, a judge on the 10th District Court of Appeals. Incumbent Republican Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine — the son of Gov. DeWine — versus Democratic challenger 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Marilyn Zayas.