The results are in and another election has come to a close here in Columbus.
Ohio voters had a lot to decide in the election and all eyes were on the Buckeye State as we headed to the polls on Tuesday. In central Ohio, the biggest election items included:
- Issue 1 on abortion access
- Issue 2 on recreational marijuana
- Columbus mayor and city council
- Columbus library levy
- Columbus schools levy
- Central Ohio school issues
Statewide Races
Issue #1
Yes: 2,069,091
No: 1,623,187
(95% reporting)
Issue #2
Yes: 2,073,001
No: 1,591,097
(95% reporting)
Mayor & City Council
Andrew Ginther: 131,283
Joe Motil: 73, 808
In the Columbus City Council election, incumbents Nick Bankston and Emmanuel Remy successfully defended their seats, with Bankston winning 70% to 30% against Farxaan Jeyte and Remy prevailing 60% to 40% against Adrienne Hood, based on unofficial results. Newcomer Nancy Day-Achauer, an ordained minister, secured a 72% to 28% victory over Luis Gil.
The remaining council members, Rob Dorans, Shayla Favor, Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, and Shannon Hardin, along with newcomers Chris Wyche and Melissa Green, all ran unopposed. The expansion of the council from seven to nine members, as approved by a 2018 referendum, aims to enhance resident access to their council members.
All five proposed bond issues in Columbus passed, including a health & safety bond, a recreation and parks bond, and more. You can read about the initiatives here.
Issue 16
For: 175,052
Against: 102,738
Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO Patrick Losinski celebrated the approval of Issue 16, with 63% of voters supporting the 1.5-mill continuing. This levy, which has no expiration, will boost the library’s annual revenue from $81 million to around $120 million.
“I am grateful to the voters for recognizing the value of Columbus Metropolitan Library and investing in the critical work that we do,” Losinski said. “This support is not taken lightly.”
It translates to a $53 increase in property taxes for every $100,000 of market value. The library relies on funding from the state’s public library fund and local property tax levies approved by voters.
To see a full list of 2023 Election Results, please visit WOSU.org.
