CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Early absentee and in-person vote tallies have been released for Pickaway County on Tuesday night as election officials begin processing the incoming Election Day precinct numbers.
With initial early counts reported, local candidates and ballot initiatives have established early positions across countywide races and regional tax levies.
Uncontested County Contests Hold Solid Lead
Candidates running unopposed for Pickaway County posts secured complete early leads following the initial drop of early ballots:
- Court of Common Pleas: Nonpartisan candidate Shelly R. Harsha received 100% of early votes (4,433 votes), with 1,370 under-votes recorded.
- County Auditor: Republican Brad Washburn captured 100% of early votes (4,067 votes) with 1,736 under-votes.
In the contest for County Commissioner, Republican Jay H. Wippel collected 94.89% (4,012 votes), while unassigned write-in candidates accounted for 5.11% (216 votes).
In the Pickaway County Coroner race, Democrat Brad Cotton garnered 85.73% of early votes (3,424 votes), with write-in candidates receiving 14.27% (570 votes).
Statewide & Countywide Ballot Measures
Early returns show strong support for statewide Constitutional amendment State Issue 3, which leads in Pickaway County with 71.28% (4,071 votes) voting YES compared to 28.72% (1,640 votes) voting NO.
On countywide local issues, the Pickaway County Park District renewal and increase levy faces early headwinds, with 51.05% (2,909 votes) voting Against the tax levy and 48.95% (2,789 votes) voting For the levy.
Local School, Municipal, and Township Measures
Early totals across municipal and township issues present early trends across local jurisdictions:
- School District Issues:
- Miami Trace Local School District (Renewal): Early voting stands 76.47% (26 votes) Against to 23.53% (8 votes) For.
- Southwestern City School District (Bond Issue): Early voting stands 76.92% (10 votes) Against to 23.08% (3 votes) For.
- Fire & Emergency Services:
- Tri-County Joint Fire District (Additional): Leading with 61.58% (109 votes) For to 38.42% (68 votes) Against.
- Sterling Joint Ambulance District (Renewal): Leading with 66.67% (118 votes) For to 33.33% (59 votes) Against.
- Fayette County EMS District (Renewal): Leading with 53.57% (15 votes) For to 46.43% (13 votes) Against.
- Township Tax Levies:
- Monroe Township (Additional): 59.00% (59 votes) For vs. 41.00% (41 votes) Against.
- Perry Township (Additional): 59.38% (19 votes) For vs. 40.63% (13 votes) Against.
- Walnut Township (Renewal): 51.66% (249 votes) For vs. 48.34% (233 votes) Against.
- Deercreek Township (Additional): 51.56% (33 votes) Against vs. 48.44% (31 votes) For.
- Village Issues & Option Referendums:
- Ashville Village Referendum: Voters reject the resolution early 77.91% (254 votes) No to 22.09% (72 votes) Yes.
- New Holland Village Levy: Trailing 64.29% (18 votes) Against to 35.71% (10 votes) For.
- Williamsport Village Levy: Leading 56.25% (27 votes) For to 43.75% (21 votes) Against.
- Ashville-West Liquor Option (19): Passing early 67.03% (61 votes) Yes to 32.97% (30 votes) No.
- Ashville-East Liquor Option (17): Trailing 51.69% (46 votes) No to 48.31% (43 votes) Yes.
- Darby-North Liquor Option (14): Currently tied at 50.00% (49 votes Yes / 49 votes No).
Note: These early figures represent early absentee and in-person voting only. Precinct Election Day results will be added as tabulations continue throughout the evening.
