Belmont County Primary Election Includes School Levy
ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Belmont County voters who have not cast early ballots will go to the polls Tuesday, May 5, to decide several primary election races and two local issues.
The Union Local School District is seeking a 3-mill, five-year permanent improvements levy. A Sunday liquor sales option for Union Township Precinct 2, related to the Bel-Morr Market, 66440 Belmont-Morristown Road, is also on the ballot.
On the state level contests will sport Republican, Democrat and Libertarian primaries. Offices on the ballot this year include U.S. Senator, Governor/Lt. Governor, Supreme Court Justices (2), Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State and Treasurer.
Locally, as has been the case in recent years, most of the competitive races will take place on the Republican ticket while Democrats will decide who will contest current Ohio 95th District House Representative Ty Moore for a full four-year term.
Moore was appointed to fill the position vacated by Don Jones last June when Jones accepted the position of State Executive Director for the Ohio Farm Service Agency of USDA.
The second state representative race for the 96th District covering the eastern half of the county will see incumbent Ron Ferguson challenged by former state senator Frank Hoagland for what will be an uncontested position on the November ballot.
In addition to the state representatives contest, Republicans will decide the November ballot candidate for county commissioner, auditor and judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
In the auditor’s race, incumbent Republican Cindi L. Henry will be challenged by two others, including former county commissioner Josh Meyer.
A second competitive race for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas will fill the seat currently held by Judge John A. Vavra who is age term limited.
Three Republicans are on the ballot seeking to replace retiring commissioner Jerry Echemann. The winner of the May 5 contest will face the single Democrat who also filed for the seat.
Races and Candidates
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Term beginning 1/1/2027)
- Kevin Flannagan (R), Bellaire
- Michael P. McCormick (R), Bethesda
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Term Beginning 2/9/2027)
- Chris Berhalter (R), Martins Ferry
County Commissioner
- Dominic DeFelice (R), Shadyside
- Chuck Probst (R), Bridgeport
- David C. Schafer (R), Bethesda
- Franklin Cecil Schafer, Jr. (D), Bellaire
County Auditor
- Nick Ferrelli (R), Shadyside
- Cindi L. Henry (R), St. Clairsville
- Josh Meyer (R), Bellaire
State Representative 95th District
- Paul Cameron (D), St. Clairsville
- James Antoni Joyce (D), Athens
- Ty Moore, (R), Caldwell
State Representative 96th District
- Ron Ferguson (R), Wintersville
- Frank Hoagland (R), Adena
The complete Belmont County ballot is posted on the board of election website.
Races in the adjoining counties may be accessed below:
Absentee Ballot Instructions
On Election Day, according to Belmont County Board of Elections director Eberle Ferrell, “electors may either utilize the drop box, or they can come in and deliver their ballot in person up until 7:30 p.m.”
“Ballots cannot be accepted at any precinct location on Election Day. They must be brought to our office located at 52180 National Road, St. Clairsville.”
Mailed Absentee Ballot Change
For those who mail ballots to boards of elections, Ohio enacted a law that went into effect in January requiring all ballots be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Previously, if the ballot was postmarked on the day of voting, it would be counted. Moving forward, if a mailed ballot arrives after Election Day, it will not be counted.
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