KNOX COUNTY – All Knox County voters can vote in a special election next Tuesday on a new property tax that would support children’s services.
Pleasant Township, the North Fork School District and the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District also have tax issues on the ballot for their residents.
The May 4 special election includes a countywide proposed additional property tax of one (1) mill for the next 10 years to fund and support Knox County Children’s Services and the care and placement of children.
One mill equals $1 per every $1,000 of property valuation, the Tax Foundation said.
Pleasant Township seeks an additional 1 mill property tax for four years to provide fire protection and emergency medical services. The tax would start in 2021 and first come due in 2022.
The Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District is proposing a property tax replacement of 5 mills for the next four years, also to provide fire protection and emergency medical services.
The North Fork School District has an income tax renewal of 1% for three years, beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, to fund current operating expenses.
This special election does not include primary elections for Mount Vernon municipal elective positions because not enough opposition candidates qualified to require it. All candidates who qualified for the primary are automatically advanced to the general election in November.
This includes Mount Vernon Treasurer David Stuller, who initially was disqualified for the election. But he appealed before the Knox County Board of Election at its March meeting and was reinstated.
Stuller’s petition filed with his candidacy qualification forms was invalidated minutes before the March 18 meeting when it was learned that someone signed for someone else on it. He told the election board that he was present when the signature was made by a person who has a power of attorney for that voter. He did not know that two separate forms had to be filed with the Board of Elections. The Elections Official’s Manual and Ohio Revised Code seem to contradict each other on that issue.
The Board of Elections decided to invalidate just that signature, which will enable Stuller to be placed on the November ballot.
Candidates who will be on the November ballot include Bruce E. Hawkins, incumbent Republican City Council president; Joshua J. Kirby, Republican 1st Ward candidate; and incumbent Republicans John M. Francis (2nd Ward), Tamara A. Woods, (3rd Ward) and Michael P. Hillier (4th Ward).
Voters will elect three candidates for at-large seats on the City Council. Republican candidates whose filings were certified include Amber Lynn Keener and incumbents Tanner S. Salyers and Janis E. Seavolt. Incumbent Democrat Julia M. Warga also had her candidacy certified.
To be on the November ballot, a person can run as an independent by filing a petition that must contain 148 valid signatures by 4 p.m. on May 3; Kim Horn, Knox County’s elections director, told the Mount Vernon News. To be a write-in candidate, a person must complete Secretary of State Form 13 and file by 4 p.m. on Aug. 23.
Early voting, election day voting hours
Voters have until noon on Saturday to request an absentee ballot for the special election. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, May 3.
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, election day.
Voters can drop off absentee ballots at the Knox County Board of Elections office until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
A few days of in-person early voting remain. The polling place is at the Knox Board of Elections offices at 104 E. Sugar St. in Mount Vernon. Hours on Saturday will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, the polls will be open from 1–5 p.m.; and on Monday, hours will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
