You’ve probably heard the term "off-year" more times than you can count. It sounds sleepy. Boring, even. But honestly, if you live in the Buckeye State, calling the Ohio midterm elections 2025 an "off-year" is kinda like calling a Cedar Point roller coaster a "casual stroll."
Politics here never actually stops.
While the rest of the country was catching its breath after the 2024 presidential cycle, Ohioans were already staring down a massive $2.5 billion bond issue and a sea of local power shifts. We aren't just talking about choosing a mayor for a four-year term. We’re talking about the fundamental way your local taxes work and whether your street actually gets paved before the next blizzard hits.
Why the Ohio Midterm Elections 2025 Weren't Just a "Dry Run"
Most folks think midterms—especially these odd-year ones—are just practice for the "real" elections. That's a mistake.
In May 2025, statewide voters were handed Issue 2. This wasn't some niche policy memo; it was a constitutional amendment to greenlight $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds. The goal? Funneling serious cash into local infrastructure. We’re talking sewage, clean water, and highways.
The results weren't even close.
Over 68% of voters said "yes" to the bond. It’s a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in a state that usually feels like a tug-of-war. Basically, everyone—regardless of whether they have a red or blue sign in their yard—wants their toilets to flush and their bridges to stay standing.
But the big-picture stuff is only half the story. The real drama always happens in the municipal races where the margins are razor-thin.
The Toledo Shakeup and Mayoral Realities
Take Toledo, for instance. Wade Kapszukiewicz managed to pull off a historic third term, grabbing about 61% of the vote against Roberto Torres. It sounds like a blowout, right? But look at the total turnout. Only about 31,000 people cast a ballot for mayor in a city of over 260,000.
That’s where the "what people get wrong" part comes in.
In these cycles, your single vote has roughly ten times the "weight" it does in a presidential year. In Perrysburg, Mark Weber cruised to a win with 75% of the vote. Meanwhile, in tiny villages across Southeast Ohio, races for council seats were being decided by five or ten people.
Literally, one family showing up to vote can change the leadership of an entire town.
The Levy Fever: Property Taxes vs. Public Services
If you want to see where Ohioans truly get fired up, don't look at the candidates. Look at the money.
The Ohio midterm elections 2025 saw a massive wave of school and police levies. It’s a constant struggle: do we pay more in property taxes, or do we let the police department dissolve?
- Mifflin Township: Their 5.7 mil police levy failed. Chief David Briggs had warned the department might have to disband. Now, residents are looking at delayed response times and relying on neighboring Columbus or the Sheriff's office.
- Blendon Township: Voters went the other way. They passed a 4.48 mil levy, which basically keeps their staffing levels exactly where they are.
- Perrysburg Schools: A huge win for the district here, with 66% of voters approving their levy.
It’s a patchwork. You can drive ten miles down the road and go from a town that’s investing millions in its future to a town that’s cutting its emergency services to the bone.
Infrastructure and the "Boring" Bond
People tend to glaze over when they hear "General Obligation Bonds." I get it. It’s not exactly thrilling dinner conversation. But Issue 2 passing in May was a massive pivot for the state’s fiscal strategy. By allowing the state to take on this debt, local governments can now apply for grants that they couldn't afford on their own.
It’s basically a massive "buy now, pay later" plan for the state's crumbling pipes.
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Surprising Details About Voter Turnout
Let's be real: turnout in 2025 was... not great.
In some counties, we were looking at 15% to 20% participation. When people stay home, the "organized" voices win. This is why you see school boards suddenly shifting their entire policy focus. It’s why library levies in places like Delaware County pass with flying colors—because the people who use the library are the only ones who remembered it was Election Day.
The Delaware County District Library, for example, secured a new 1-mill property tax for the next 15 years. That’s a long-term commitment made by a very small slice of the population.
What This Means for the 2026 Governor’s Race
You can't talk about the 2025 cycle without looking at the shadow of 2026.
The political veterans who won local seats or successfully defended levies in 2025 are now the "ground game" for the upcoming gubernatorial race. Governor Mike DeWine is already throwing weight around, endorsing Vivek Ramaswamy as a potential successor.
The 2025 results showed that Ohio still has a strong "moderate" streak when it comes to spending—voters will pay for things they can see and touch (like roads and cops)—but they are increasingly skeptical of "new" taxes that don't have a clear, immediate benefit.
Actionable Steps for the Next Cycle
If you feel like you missed the boat on the Ohio midterm elections 2025, or if you're unhappy with how your local levy turned out, there are things you should be doing right now. Politics isn't just a November hobby.
1. Check your registration status today. Don't wait until the 30-day deadline before the 2026 primary. Use the Ohio Secretary of State's portal to make sure your address is current, especially if you moved recently.
2. Attend a City Council or School Board meeting. The people elected in 2025 are starting their terms now. These meetings are where the actual decisions about that $2.5 billion infrastructure bond will happen. If you want your street fixed, you have to show up when they're making the "priority list."
3. Research the 2026 candidates early. The 2025 cycle proved that "name ID" is everything in low-turnout elections. Start looking at who is running for the Ohio Supreme Court and the U.S. Senate now.
4. Understand your tax bill. Go to your County Auditor’s website. Look at exactly how much of your property tax is going to "Inside Millage" versus the "voted levies" that just passed in 2025. It’ll give you a much better perspective the next time a "replacement levy" shows up on your ballot.
Ohio is often called the "heart of it all," and in 2025, that heart was beating in small-town council chambers and local polling stations. The decisions made this year will affect your commute, your safety, and your wallet for the next decade.