DAYTON, Ohio — With Election Day on Tuesday, the Montgomery County Board of Elections wants to remind voters that there are numerous important races and measures on the November ballot.

There are also about 90 races for positions across the county, including the mayor of Dayton and seats on Dayton’s city commission. There are also 16 issues on the ballot ranging from levies to referendums.

In Dayton, a current city commissioner is taking on a retired firefighter to replace outgoing Mayor Nan Whaley, who is running for governor next year.

Commissioner Jeff Mims Jr., a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, has been on city commission for the past eight years. 

Mims is the more liberal of the two candidates. The former educator is running on a platform that places an emphasis on investment in neighborhoods and helping residents, particularly children.

Rennes Bowers retired from the Dayton Fire Department in 2019 after 30 years of service. He’s also the former longtime chaplain of the Dayton Dragons baseball team.

Bowers, the more conservative candidate, stresses his lack of City Hall experience as a positive. His “Bold Solutions” plan stresses items like investment in police and fire, small business growth and government transparency.

Jeff Rezabek, the director of the BOE in Montgomery County, said municipal elections typically don’t receive the same voter turnout as presidential elections. 

In the 2020 November election, about 71% of eligible Montgomery County voters cast a vote. By comparison, voter turnout for a typical municipal election is much lower.

Those numbers fluctuate a bit election to election based on what’s on the ballot, Rezabek said. For instance, in 2015 voter turnout was over 40.3% but in 2019 it dipped to 20.8%.

“People tend to see the national races as these big, important elections, which they are. But when I talk to people about municipal elections... you see these people at your kids’ baseball games,” he said. “These politicians and representatives in your local government, as well as your school board, are as important as those in any other race.”

Two seats on Dayton’s city commission are also up for grabs. The candidates include incumbent Darryl Fairchild, as well as three relative newcomers – Stacey Benson-Taylor, Scott Sliver and Shenise Turner-Sloss.

Other races in Montgomery County include: 

In Centerville, five candidates are running for three open seats on the City Council. Incumbents John E. Palcher, JoAnne C. Rau and Bill Serr are facing off against challengers Dan Apolito and Leah E. McCullough.

Voters in Kettering will pick among candidates for mayor, two at-large City Council seats and two council district seats. Peggy B. Lehner is running unopposed for mayor. In the at-large race, incumbent Jacqueline L. Fisher and challengers Jyl Hall and Joseph Patak are vying for two open seats. In the District 1 council race, the candidates are David Brown, Lisa Duvall and Darrell Meshew. In the District 2 council race, Bob Scott is facing off against John J. White.

Rezabek said these elections matter because the races and issues can affect “your way of life, as well as your pocketbook.”

“The representatives in your local government, as well as the school board, are so important to our day-to-day lives. They affect things that we do every day,” he added. “These are the individuals you see at grocery stores, the individuals you see at your kids’ ballgames. These are our neighbors and they have a real impact on our communities.”

Some of the issues on the Montgomery County ballot include tax levies, such as the Human Services levy. The levy would pay for services for the elderly, abused children, the homeless and people struggling with substance abuse. 

Englewood voters will see a request for additional revenue for Fire and EMS services, while voters in Phillipsburg will be asked to approve an additional 3 mills in a Streets and Bridges levy. If passed, it is expected to bring in more than $22,000.

Voters in Riverside will decide on an additional 1% income tax to cover police, fire and EMS services. Perry Township residents will also vote on whether to raise taxes to support fire service. If passed, that levy would bring in more than $300,000 in revenues.

Rezabek said they’ve had a “slow turnout” in early voting, but it’s picked up recently. Last weekend was the first and only weekend option for in-person early voting. 

“We hope that all voters understand that and get out; do a little research on the candidates and the issue, and make your voice heard throughout your community,” he said.

You can find a full copy of your ballot and ballot related issues on the Spectrum News voter guide.