(The Center Square) – To prove that nearly every vote counts, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently released an analysis of Ohio’s November General Election, which showed 23 local races that triggered an automatic recount.
Several of those races, according to LaRose, either ended in a tie or were decided by three votes or fewer.
“Never let anyone tell you a single vote doesn’t matter, which is why we continue to make sure it is both easy to vote and hard to cheat in the Buckeye State,” LaRose said. “While the focus is often on the top of the ticket, local elections can have a big impact in communities across Ohio. By doing our part to protect the vote, we are also protecting your voice to ensure the outcome accurately reflects the will of the community.”
Tie vote counts result in a failed proposal, and the largest came for the Springfield Local School District emergency levy that ended in a 4,470 vote tie.
The Village of Norwich’s renewal level also failed due to a 23-23 tie, while the Clinton Township Fire Levy tied 229-229.
Also, Sunday liquor sales in Washington County passed by a single vote, 157-156, while Marion County’s First Consolidated Fire District passed 1,259-1,258.
A property tax issues in Hanover – in Licking County – lost by three votes, as did a Village of Arcanum property tax levy.
The Hillsdale Local Schools passed a levy by three votes, while the Dillonvale renewal tax levy passed by one vote.
“Local elections which occur in odd-numbered years like 2025 can come down to notoriously slim margins, so it is more important than ever to ensure you are registered to vote and prepared to participate in our democracy in the New Year,” LaRose said.
