You’d think that an off-year election would be a quiet affair, right? Just a bunch of local levies and maybe a sleepy city council seat or two. But looking at the Ohio board of elections results from this past November, that wasn't the case at all. Honestly, it was a nail-biter in more ways than one. While the 2024 presidential cycle saw a massive 71.7% turnout across the Buckeye State, 2025 shifted the focus back to the "nitty-gritty" of local governance.
Basically, the stakes were incredibly high for school districts and emergency services. In some spots, a handful of votes determined whether a fire station stayed open or a school got a new roof. It’s that "every vote counts" cliché, but for real this time.
The Numbers Behind the 2025 Ohio Board of Elections Results
When the Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, certified the results, the data told a story of localized intensity. We’re talking about a landscape where voter turnout hovered around 26% in major hubs like Franklin County. That sounds low, but for an off-year, it's fairly typical. It means that the people who did show up had a massive influence on the future of their communities.
Take the Columbus bond issues, for example. Voters were asked to weigh in on five separate bond measures, Issues 5 through 9. These weren't small asks. We're talking about $1.9 billion in borrowing power for everything from affordable housing to parks and public safety.
Most of these passed with healthy margins, usually around 60% to 70% approval. Issue 9, which focused on public utilities, saw a "yes" vote of roughly 71%. People clearly wanted those infrastructure upgrades. But it wasn't a sweep across the board for everyone in the state.
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Why Some Levies Failed and Others Succeeded
It's kinda fascinating to see the split in how voters treat "safety" versus "schools." In Mifflin Township, a 5.57-mill police levy actually failed. The Chief had warned that the department might face closure without those funds. On the flip side, Blendon Township saw their police levy pass with 67% of the vote. Why the difference? Often, it comes down to how the local Board of Elections presents the cost to the homeowner.
- Blendon Township: $157 per $100,000 of home value. (Passed)
- Mifflin Township: $195 per $100,000 of home value. (Failed)
Sometimes, that extra $40 is the breaking point for a family's budget.
The 2026 Horizon: Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton
Even though we’re just now digesting the 2025 Ohio board of elections results, everyone is already looking at the 2026 gubernatorial race. It's going to be a heavyweight fight. On the Republican side, Vivek Ramaswamy has jumped in with both feet. He’s already tapped State Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate.
Governor Mike DeWine has already given Ramaswamy his endorsement, which is a big signal to the party faithful. But don't count out the Democrats. Dr. Amy Acton, the former Health Director who became a household name during the pandemic, is running with David Pepper.
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Early polling from late 2025 shows an incredibly tight race. One survey from Race to the WH had Ramaswamy at 46.2% and Acton at 44.9%. That is well within the margin of error. It’s basically a coin flip at this point.
The Local Races That Flew Under the Radar
While the big names grab the headlines, the most dramatic Ohio board of elections results often happen in the smallest towns. In the May 2025 primary, we saw tie votes in the Village of Rushsylvania and a village income tax increase in Licking County. A single person staying home changed the course of those towns.
In the November general election:
- Cleveland Mayor: Justin Bibb cruised to re-election with about 74% of the vote.
- Cleveland Heights: Jim Petras edged out Davida Russell with 55%.
- Columbus City Council: Tiara Ross won a tight race for District 7, taking 51% of the vote against Jesse Vogel.
How to Navigate the Official Results Yourself
If you’re trying to find specific data for your precinct, the best place is always the official Ohio Secretary of State website. They have a "Voter Toolkit" that lets you look up results by county.
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The individual County Boards of Elections—like the ones in Cuyahoga, Franklin, or Hamilton—often have much more detailed "precinct-level" maps. These maps are great for seeing how your specific neighborhood voted compared to the rest of the city.
Actionable Steps for Ohio Voters
Election results aren't just numbers on a screen; they dictate your property taxes and the quality of your local roads. Here is how you should handle the current data:
- Verify Your Registration: Even though the next major election isn't until the 2026 primary, check your status now. Ohio has been active in "cleaning" voter rolls, so make sure you haven't been moved to "inactive" status.
- Review Your Property Tax Bill: Many of the levies that passed in November will start showing up on your bill in the coming year. Use the Board of Elections data to understand exactly what you are paying for.
- Follow the 2026 Primaries: With the Governor's office and several key Congressional seats up for grabs, the filing deadlines are approaching. Pay attention to who is actually getting on the ballot.
- Participate in Local Meetings: If a levy failed in your area, the local council or school board is likely meeting right now to discuss "Plan B." These meetings are open to the public.
The 2025 Ohio board of elections results prove that while the "big" elections get the "big" turnout, the local elections have the most immediate impact on your daily life. Whether it’s $1.9 billion in Columbus bonds or a tie-breaker in a tiny village, the outcome of these races rests entirely on the few who decide to show up.