Election Day brought more voters than anticipated to Licking County polls
Editor’s note: The Reporting Project will update this story as more information becomes available.
Nearly 30% of registered voters in Licking County cast ballots in the Nov. 4 election – more than Licking County Board of Elections Deputy Director Tess Wigginton anticipated.
“I was surprised by the turnout,” she told The Reporting Project on Wednesday, Nov. 5. “I’m always happy when there’s a bigger turnout, and I think that was driven by big races.”
Election Day, Wigginton said, went off without a hitch.
“We don’t always know what to expect,” she said. “We did have a couple of hiccups in the morning before polls opened, and intermittent problems here and there, but that’s not unusual.”
Wigginton said those “hiccups” were simple issues, like a receipt printer at a polling location not connecting to voting machines.
Of the 124,318 registered voters in the county, 36,414 people – or 29.29% – voted in the election. And, Wigginton said, many of those voters were motivated not by the county-wide levy or municipal court races, but by township trustee and school board races.
See reactions from elected officials from: Licking County Municipal Court Clerk • Licking County mental health levy • Granville Village Council •Granville Township Trustees • Newark City Council Ward 2 and Ward 3 • Pataskala City Council • Heath Mayor • Johnstown City Council • Alexandria Village Council • St. Albans Township Trustees
Licking County Municipal Court Clerk
The Licking County voters elected Carrie Masterson to represent Licking County as Municipal Clerk of Courts in the Nov. 4 election against Rick Williams.
Results reported by the Licking County Board of Elections show Masterson earned 62.72% of the vote, and Williams had 37.28%.
The Municipal Clerk of Courts is responsible for any court duties that are beyond trying cases: managing case files, updating technology and generally overseeing the administration and efficiency of the Licking County courts.
Masterson “couldn’t be happier with the results.” She replaces current Clerk of Courts Marcia Phelps, who has served as clerk for the past 18 years.
“Thank you to all of Licking County that supported me. I did not expect as big of a win as I had, since this is a non-partisan race and the lowest voter turnout year always,” Masterson said. “So I was thrilled with that result. I’m excited to get working in the new role, and I think I’m going to bring a lot of energy and positivity to the office and the city building.”
Masterson emphasized her focus on providing the public with proper access to efficient, streamlined daily court proceedings, such as 24/7 online document filing and stamping. Masterson believes technological upgrades will help solve storage and record management issues by consolidating physical documents and adopting a new digital filing system.
During the election, Masterson passed out candidate list cards at her precinct, and appreciated the opportunity to interact with voters from both sides of the aisle.
“I think I will serve everyone well and make them happy. I grew up here. I’ve been here forever. I’ve worked in municipal court and commonplace court before, and I’m going to be able to reconnect with people who are still around from then, and then get to meet new folks. I think it’s going to be rewarding,” Masterson said.
Masterson also stressed how much she appreciated the other candidates throughout the election.
“It takes a lot to run for public office. It is no joke, and I applaud everyone who is willing to step up and give it the effort, especially with their own money,” Masterson said.
Williams had worked for ODOT for 30 years, supervising Licking County for 22 years before retiring.
“I want to thank everybody that supported me,” Williams said. “Those who took a yard sign and whatnot and spread the word.”
County property tax renewal for mental health and recovery in Licking and Knox
During the Nov. 4 election, Licking County voters passed a renewal tax levy funding Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties. The levy passed with 53.69% of the vote, with 46.31% of voters voting against it.
The tax was not an increase, so property owners will pay the same amount in property tax that they would have 10 years ago. The funding will go toward funding mental health resources for Licking County residents such as crisis response, psychiatric services and suicide prevention services. To make decisions about how to allocate funding, the Mental Health and Recovery Board reviews data and community needs to determine priorities through a careful, transparent process according to Mental Health and Recovery Executive Director Kay Spergel.
“The continued support means we can sustain critical programs, expand access to care, and respond to growing mental health and addiction needs across our counties,” Spergel said.
Spergel said the organization is grateful for every individual, organization and partner that provided support to the organization during their campaign.
“We are deeply grateful that the residents of Licking and Knox Counties have once again shown their trust in the Mental Health & Recovery Board,” Spergel said. “From the volunteers who shared their stories to the community leaders and agencies who endorsed the levy, your voices made the difference. Because of you, individuals and families in crisis will continue to receive the support and services they need close to home. This success truly belongs to the community.”
Granville Village Council
Melissa Hartfield, Kim Keethler Ball and Alex Morrow will take seats on Granville Village Council. Hartfield carried 26.9% of the vote, Ball 21.1% and Morrow 20.1% of the 3,762 votes cast.
“I’m thankful to the community for their support,” Hartfield, the longest-serving mayor in Granville’s history, said after the election. “I’m really proud to do this job and I’m honored to be chosen again.”
Keethler Ball is excited to return for another term, and feels more prepared this time.
“Just knowing people, knowing the job, having the relationships already,” she said, “I’m feeling energized and excited to go forward.”
Alex Morrow will be the only newcomer on Granville Village Council when sworn in early next year.
“I’m excited to join the ongoing work of the existing council and eager to build bridges across our institutions and regional communities,” he told The Reporting Project. “I’m grateful for the community’s vote of confidence. Their support, perspectives and energy fueled what was truly a grassroots campaign.”
Morrow said he knocked on over 550 doors throughout the campaign, and said the conversations he had with voters helped him “better understand our community’s needs, concerns and goals.”
Matt McGowan and Diane Marshall, who also ran for the council seats, earned 16.03% and 15.95% of the vote, respectively.
“Anyone who has ever run for an office or played a sport and lost knows it is always disappointing,” McGowan said following the election. “But you just have to focus and put your energy and efforts into the other areas of your life and activities you do. I plan to continue to work and make Granville a great place to live. I’m proud of the many things I was able to accomplish when I was the mayor and on Granville Village Council for 20 years.”
Granville Township Trustees
William E. Hoekstra and Leonard Hubert will take the position of Granville Township trustee alongside current trustee Rob Schaadt in January. Hoekstra received 38.93% of the vote, and Hubert received 37.37%, while Barton received 23.71% of the votes.
Hubert attributes some of his success to his door-to-door campaigning.
“It gave me a great opportunity to hear firsthand from voters and share with them why I was running,” Hubert said. “I think my message resonated with the voters and they gave their approval by electing me.”
He’s excited to work with the fellow trustees and think through some of the issues he discussed during his campaign. As he explained, he looks forward to having conversations regarding what areas they each may want to focus their attention, based on their backgrounds.
“I’m looking forward to working with the council, the school board and elected officials to continue together the effort to be responsive to what the residents of Granville want in the village and the township, and what their priorities are,” Hubert said.
Hubert said he reached out to both Barton and Hoekstra on election night and wished them well. He thanks Barton for his effort and his campaign.
“It’s a time and a sacrifice, so I appreciate Ben for his willingness to do this,” Hubert said.
Hoekstra looks forward to starting his work as township trustee.
“My next steps are just to start building bridges, to see what we have in common with municipalities around us, so we can start building those relationships to strengthen those and also within Granville. It’s time to go to work,” Hoekstra said. “I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to serve and I won’t take it lightly.”
He believed there were good candidates for both trustee and for village council.
“I certainly hope the other folks will stay engaged and they will keep continuing with their ideas and involvement in the community,” he said.
Barton did not respond to The Reporting Project’s request to comment.
Newark City Council Ward 2
Newark voters reelected incumbent Republican Beth Bline to the Newark City Council’s Second Ward seat in the Nov. 4 election. Bline collected 64% of the vote, beating Democratic candidate Daniel Crawford, who collected 36%. This upcoming term will be Bline’s second time serving on Newark’s city council.
“I’m very, very grateful for the support of the citizens of the second ward,” Bline said. “They are the best ward in this city. I’m very, very grateful for everyone who pitched in financially and who gave up their own time to help deliver signs and knock on doors.”
Bline also complimented competitor Daniel Crawford. “He ran a good race,” Bline said. “And anytime you run for public office, it’s hard work, and so I certainly have to give him a shout-out for that.” Crawford did not respond to The Reporting Project’s request for comment.
Now that Bline has been reelected, her major goals consist of continuing the projects that are important to the citizens of the second ward. Bline wants to move forward with bringing more business into Newark and supporting local business owners. Bline also wants to continue to support Newark’s safety forces.
“We just want to continue to cooperate and to work together in the best possible way,” Bline said.
Crawford said he knew his campaign would be an uphill battle, given his experience with his seven previous campaigns. But this loss does not signal any slowing down for Crawford. As a member of the Central Committee and Executive Committee for Licking County’s Democratic Party, Crawford will work to hold the council accountable.
“Right before the election, I went to city council,” Crawford said. “I was trying to invite all the other council candidates and other elected officials in the city to join me in opposing any further pay increases for city-elected officials, council, mayor, what have you.” Crawford said it would be irresponsible to have any further pay raises when the city is claiming that its budget is in the red. Crawford said he’s noticed over the years that around election time, local officials sometimes vote to raise their own pay.
“You don’t make a lot when you’re on council, but it doesn’t send a good message when people are struggling in the city of Newark to increase your own pay,” Crawford said. “And (the income tax levy) failed, so before the city even considers cutting a single service, they need to consider cutting their own pay first, and that’s something I think that the people of Newark should keep an eye on.”
Crawford said he can’t convey in words how much he appreciates his supporters.
“It’s very much appreciated that they’re willing to indulge me, and give me a chance,” Crawford said. “But also to those who oppose me, who didn’t vote for me, congratulations on getting their preferred candidate elected, and hopefully we can move this ward and the city together.”
Newark City Council Ward 3
Republican candidate Molly Ingold won the race for Newark City Council’s third ward seat. Ingold, who defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Rath in the Republican primary, went on to win the council seat with 60% of the vote, with Democratic candidate Marci Fones taking 40% of the vote.
On the night of the election, instead of celebrating her win, Ingold could be seen removing her candidate yard signs from Newark’s third ward.
“I am a person who doesn’t like to see a lot of yard signs,” Ingold said. “A friend and I are out picking up all my yard signs tonight. There’s a lot less traffic now, and it’s easier to get them too.”
Ingold said she feels relieved that the election is over. After campaigning since February for the initial primary, Ingold said she is grateful for the team that helped her pull off both wins.
“I had a great team,” Ingold said. “This is nothing you can do by yourself. You have to have people that support you, and they did a great job.”
“I found through this that I have been really blessed with a lot of people who have supported me,” Ingold said. “Thank you for trusting me, and you can continue to trust me as I listen to what you have to say, and as I bring your ideas and concerns forward to council.”
Ingold’s primary concerns for her upcoming term center around the ward’s predicted growth, and the changes in infrastructure necessary to accommodate that growth. Since the income tax levy failed, Ingold said it will also be necessary to look at how to get alternative sources of revenue.
“The city has to begin to look at revenue and expenditures and tighten their belt, I would assume, until we can find new revenue,” Ingold said.
Fones said that she is thankful for the opportunity to run for council and for all of the people she got to know along the way. Fones said she wants to assist Ingold to support and advocate for Newark’s third ward.
“I feel that my work is not done, and I truly want to help Newark, because I do believe in it strongly,” Fones said. “I’ll also support Molly in any way that I can. I hope that, in the future, that we can all work together better and better.”
Pataskala City Council at-large
After the polls closed on Nov. 4, the results for the Pataskala City Council – at large position showed Jude Hampshire was reelected to her seat after receiving a total of 1,503 votes —nearly 44% of the vote. Four write-in candidates each earned less than 2% of votes.
Hampshire said she felt “very good” about the outcome and thanked everyone who voted for her, calling it an “excellent turnout.” She added that she was “very pleased” and grateful for the community’s support.
Hampshire has lived in Pataskala since 1999 and raised her three Eagle Scout sons — all graduates of Licking Heights — in a community she cherishes.
“Pataskala is home,” she said.
Her journey into public service began six years ago when the mayor, a neighbor and friend, appointed her to the board of Explore Licking County. She was unanimously appointed to her position on council by sitting council members in 2020, filling one of two open seats. Now, as she concludes her first term, Hampshire is seeking another four-year term, driven by a commitment to the city’s future.
Hampshire stated that her “people skills, phone skills, writing skills and ability to negotiate” developed through life and previous employment seamlessly integrate with her council duties. “There’s nothing that in life you don’t use in city council, and there’s nothing in city council that you don’t use in life.”
As an at-large representative, Hampshire serves the entire city, a role she finds particularly rewarding when engaging with students from local high schools. A point of pride for her has been the increasing representation of women on the council.
“I’m actually proud that there’s now three women on council and four men,” she said. “For a long time, I was the only one… It is nice to see that people recognize that we can do that.” Hampshire also commends the current mayor, describing him as a “people-person” whose communication skills greatly benefit the council’s functioning.
Heath Mayor
On Tuesday, Nov. 4 and throughout the fall (using mail-in voting), 1,559 Heath residents voted in their city’s mayoral election, where incumbent Mayor Mark Johns defeated political newcomer Kelly Spires by 641 votes. Johns won 64.87% of the vote.
“The voters of Heath recognize how strong our city currently is,” Johns said on Tuesday night. “Serving as mayor continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life. Together we’ll keep strengthening our neighborhoods, supporting our schools and investing in our future that keeps Heath a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Spires did not return The Reporting Project’s request for comment prior to publication.
Johnstown City Council
Kyle Cook earned 22.21% of the vote to acquire the first seat up for election on the Johnstown City Council.
Currently serving as a zoning and planning committee member, Cook has deep roots in Johnstown and now will be taking on a larger role in the council.
Cook did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
Incumbent City Council member Ryan Green will maintain his seat on the council, earning 20.81% of the vote.
Green stressed that public feedback from door knocking on roughly 800 homes was the best way to hear feedback from the public for his next four years in office.
Daily operations for Johnstown are at the forefront of Green’s mind.
“I want to make sure that the services that people expect when they pay their taxes are handled. I want to make sure that we’re paving roads. I want to make sure that we are taking a look at water and sewer. I want to make sure that we are handling our building appropriately. I want to make sure that planning and zoning applications are handled in a timely manner,” Green said.
Green acknowledged that it is easy for a small city to get excited or hasty on project ideas with Intel coming toward Johnstown, but he stressed the importance of the community.
“If you can’t take care of your people, what is it really worth, exactly?” Green said.
Previously on the council, Nicole Shook acquired a council seat back after receiving 17.86% of the vote.
Shook stressed the importance of her supporters, especially those who asked her hard questions to answer for Johnstown, because there is “much interest in making this town and our city better.”
Shook believes Johnstown isn’t and never has been going down a bad path, but expressed that there is plenty that can be done so the city is more efficient, transparent and organized.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully being able to unify enough to be able to get some wins for Johnstown,” Shook said.
Matthew D. Huggins earned 14.05% of the vote, acquiring the fourth and final seat of the Johnstown City Council up for election.
“It’s humbling when people you know put their trust in you, and also for those who didn’t vote for me — I’m going to work for those guys as well,” Huggins said.
Huggins is looking forward to using his analytical skills to make Johnstown better.
“I’m just going in to make the city better, make it accountable, make it transparent, and do what’s good for all citizens. Doesn’t matter what walk of life they’re from, doesn’t matter what their belief system is, doesn’t matter if they’re wealthy, doesn’t matter if they’re the poorest of the poor,” Huggins said. “I’m going in for everybody, trying to make Johnstown a city that will accommodate them.”
Huggins wrote in his online statement that he abides by the “80/20 rule,” where the majority of people will agree 80% of the time, and we only have to figure out common ground for the other 20%.
Alexandria Village Council
Residents of Alexandria voted on two different potential village councils this election: one if the proposed merger between Alexandria and St. Albans Township passed, and one if it did not. The merger failed, with 78.09% of the votes against it. So, the winners of the Alexandria Village Council race will take office, and the previously seated members will remain.
There were four candidates, and all four will fill a seat on the village council.
Spencer Giese received 76 votes, equating to 21.23% of the votes. He’s a political newcomer and looks forward to connecting with the village council, attending meetings and better learning his responsibilities in this position.
“I’ve put myself out there as a candidate, and the next step would be to serve the community,” Giese said.
One of his campaign platforms was to ensure positive connections between the village and the township.
“I want to work together and make sure that there can still be great collaboration between the township and the village,” Giese said. “We hear from our citizens: their voice through their votes is shared; they don’t want to merge, so what are our next steps? How can we keep and protect our charm in Alexandria and as a whole?”
Incumbent William “Herb” Lower received 95 votes or 26.54%. He did not respond to The Reporting Project’s request for comment prior to publication.
Mitch Peters received 97 votes, or 27.10% of the votes. He is pleased with how the local election unfolded. He looks forward to getting sworn in in January and starting to get the village going in the right direction. One of his first goals will be to make the meetings more open to the public.
Peters said he is happy the merger failed.
“I think the township has built a very strong set of zoning regulations, and I think the two new trustees will be very strong for the township,” Peters said. “It’s just time for the whole community to come back together. Even though we were a little split on the merger, I think it shows the majority want to stay separate as the township and village and continue to grow.”
Incumbent Kenneth Lyle Simpson II received 25.14% of the votes, or 90 votes. He did not respond to The Reporting Project’s request for comment prior to publication.
Ann T. Lodder, Carrianne Meng and Dean Schiller, who were running for the merged village of Alexandria and St. Albans township won potential seats, but will not be representing the merged village because the merger did not pass.
Lodder expressed disappointment with the outcome of the merger vote.
“I am very disappointed that the community did not understand the position we presented, and I hope that the township does not regret their decision within a couple years,” she said.
She plans to proceed as an active member of the community.
“I’m going to continue to live here and continue to attend township meetings and try to hold our office holders accountable for doing what is in the best interest of everyone in our community,” Lodder said.
Although he ran for mayor of the proposed merged village, Sean Barnes will remain mayor of Alexandria.
Geise also said he would have liked to see more residents voting.
“I wish we would have had better voter turnouts because voting is really important, and it’s our civil opportunity to share our voice and be actively engaged in the community,” he said.
St. Albans Township Trustees
The proposed merger between St. Albans Township and Village of Alexandria brought more people to the polls than typical for an off-year election.
With the merger defeated by a majority of 78.09% of votes in opposition, the two seats for St. Albans Township trustees were filled. Newcomers Mike Washington and Tad VanNess won the seats against incumbent Bruce Lane.
Of the 1,709 total votes cast in the race, Washington received 40.26% and VanNess received 38.44%. Lane received 21.3% of the vote.
VanNess said he was relieved with the results and proud of overall voter turnout.
“I really want everybody to know that, whether they voted or not, one of my goals is first and foremost to glue this community back together,” VanNess said.
From now on, there won’t be any rest, VanNess said. VanNess and Washington plan to begin making agreements with neighboring governments to protect the township from unwanted development. Washington hopes that St. Albans Township and the Village of Alexandria will heal any wounds and work together toward this.
“Myself and Tad have been very connected to the community for a long time, and we both took the same initiative. So beyond talking to people at meetings, we were knocking on doors, lots of doors, and we engaged with a lot of the community members,” Washington said. “The overwhelming sentiment that we saw matched the vote.”
Lane will finish out his term as trustee, and leave office on Dec. 31. He worries that without the merger, the township will be taken advantage of and left vulnerable to outside pressures.
“Let the exploitation begin,” he said.
“If the public didn’t take notice, that’s kind of on them. They had every opportunity to understand what was going to happen if they didn’t,” Lane said. “I hope [the trustees] protect the township the best they can, and people are proud of this place 10 years down the road.”
TheReportingProject.org is the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.