Election May 2025: Here are some races to watch in the primary
Look at some of the important races to watch in the May 2025 primary election.
Ohio polling locations will be open on May 6 with a statewide issue on ballots. Some Franklin County voters will find primary races and school issues.
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Here’s what you can expect to find on ballots.
Do I need to vote Tuesday?
Yes. Every Ohioan will find a statewide issue on their ballots.
What is Ohio Issue 2?
- Ohio voters will decide on Issue 2, a $2.5 billion bond issue for infrastructure improvements.
- The bond would fund projects related to roads, bridges, water systems, and waste disposal over 10 years.
- Issue 2 is unrelated to the proposed $600 million in bonds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium.
- There is no Issue 1 on the ballot due to a change in Ohio law to no longer repeat issue numbers.
Here’s our coverage of Issue 2:
Columbus voters face 2 primary elections
Ten people are running for six spots on the November ballot for the Columbus school board. Three seats will be up for election on Nov. 4.
Three candidates are running for two spots on the November ballot for Columbus City Council District 7. All Columus residents registered to vote may take part.
Hilliard, Whitehall holding primary elections
Seven Hilliard Democrats are running for four nominations to the November ballot.
In Whitehall, two of three primary candidates for City Council’s Ward 2 seat will advance to the November election. Voters may choose one candidate in the primary.
Local issues: Three suburban school districts have bond issues
Three suburban school districts that are partially in Franklin County and partially in neighboring counties are asking for bond issues for facilities construction:
- Groveport Madison Local School District is asking for 2.33 mills ($82 for each $100,000 of appraised value for 37 years).
- Jonathan Alder Local School District is asking for 5.12 mills ($179 for each $100,000 of appraised value for 37 years).
- Teays Valley Local School District is asking for 3.26 mills ($114 for each $100,000 of appraised value for 37 years).
Here’s more on the school issues, including those in other central Ohio counties:
There are also multiple townships with levies on the ballot, most of them for police or fire levies. Mifflin Township, however, is asking residents to approve both a police and a fire levy. Here are the issues on the primary ballot:
(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)