Summary:
Exceedingly large turnout drives election night ups and downs.
Article:
By all accounts election night 2011 will go into the history books as a monumental moment in American democracy. Huge turnout for an off-year election driven in part by historic ballot initiatives on the state level led to increased voter turnout in local elections as well, delivering decisive decisions. This large turnout can be compared to last years pivotal congressional elections, with 28, 932 people voting this year, less than one thousand votes away from last years elections.
Most of the voter enthusiasm and turnout can be attributed to state Issue 2, the bill to repeal Senate Bill 5. National attention was fixated on this vote and the state responded with record turnout. Eventually Issue 2 failed statewide and in Tuscarawas County by a vote of 63.5% against and 36.5% for. State Issue 3, a constitutional amendment to exempt Ohio from the healthcare bill passed by congress in 2009 passed statewide and in Tuscarawas County by a vote of 67% in favor and 33% against.
In Tuscarawas County elections there were four major races that were watched, the mayoral races in New Philadelphia and Dover, the municipal court race and the Dover City School bond issue for the building of a new high school.
In New Philadelphia, Mayor Mike Taylor was facing his first re-election campaign, the voters chose to give him a second term by giving him 69% (3,470) of the vote; his opponent Tom Gerber received 31%(1,589).
I was humbled and honored by the result of the election, said Mayor Taylor. This was my first time running for re-election and the fact that people decided to give me a second term means a lot to me. Im going to continue to pursue economic change for the city and work to better the community as a whole. Most importantly I want to thank our city employees and the work theyve done over the last four years, because I couldnt have done anything without them.
Dover Mayor Richard Homrighausen won his latest mayoral election; he will begin his sixth consecutive term as mayor in January. Homrighausen won with 63% (3,076) compared to 37% (1,810) for his challenger Tony Korns.
I was very gratified that Dover residents chose to re-elect me by the largest margin yet. Im very appreciative of this and see it as an endorsement of what we have done so far, said Mayor Homrighausen. On January 1 I will start my new term and become the longest serving mayor in Dovers history which is very gratifying and exciting.
During the election season I always took the high road, and I will continue to do that. Weve also been honest to Dovers residents, taking responsibility for the few failures weve had and sharing our many successes. Im just happy that Dover allowed us to continue doing what weve done.
In the election to replace retiring municipal court judge Mary Wade Space, Magistrate Nannette DeGarmo VonAllman defeated opponent Kristin Zemis with 51% (10,279) to 49% (9,833).
But perhaps the closest watched decision of the night centered on the Dover City School Boards bond levy to build a new high school. The plan was to build a new school in the north end of Dover rather than repair the existing building currently located on Walnut Street in Dover, previous efforts to fund renovations of the high school failed multiple times. . Despite efforts by community leaders to rally support behind the new school Dover residents dealt a harsh blow to the bond levy, defeating it by a wide margin, 71% (4,853) against compared to 29% (1,955) in support.
Were thankful for the nearly 2,000 voters who stood with us and said we want to move forward, said Mike Lauber, co-chair of the Our School, Our Choice committee. Were also respectful of the voters who said no, those who wanted more information or wanted to do something different. Many people recognized that we are not offering our children a truly 21st century educational experience, but many felt that a new school was not the best choice at the time.
In Dover, tax issues, such as the bond issue, never pass on the first go around. So right now were trying to figure out what to do next, whether or not the bond issue will be on a future ballot depends on the school board. Im sure that if we had 5,000 voters go through the school on our academic tour and see what needs to be done for the education of our children, Im certain we would have won.
