ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Ohio Issue 2, the renewal of the State Capital Improvement Program, will be on ballots statewide during the May 6 primary/special election.

Issue 2 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution renewing and increasing the state spending cap for its public works projects.

Since 1987, Ohio voters have renewed the Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment three times, and more than 19,000 grants and loans have been funded for projects all over the state — roads, bridges, retaining walls and other public works.

The state accomplishes this by issuing bonds — and Issue 2 is not only a renewal, but a request to increase the limit on that to $250 million per year over ten years.

According to state Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, “These are projects people recognize and pay attention to. This makes a difference in neighborhoods around the state, the places people call home and it doesn’t raise anyone’s taxes.”

If approved, the amendment would take effect immediately.

“We’ve been getting the question a lot: ‘Does this impact taxes?’ This does not impact people’s property taxes in any way,” Harrison County Board of Elections Director Dion Troiano said, echoing Chavez’s comments.

Belmont County Board of Elections Deputy Director Kamron Chervenak said early in-person voting began April 8 and will continue through Sunday. Early ballots can be cast at board of elections offices or mailed to the appropriate county board.

The remaining early in-person voting hours are:

Today – May 2: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

May 3: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 4: 1-5 p.m.

Polling locations across the state will be open on May 6, Election Day, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Ohioans to decide whether to approve Issue 2.

“Everywhere throughout the county is going to have that issue, too, which is related to the budget and different bonds and stuff like that. So everyone’s going to see that on their ballot. And then we do have six precincts that have levy issues as well,” Chervenak said.

In addition to Issue 2, two villages and two townships within Belmont County will have tax levies to decide.

The village of Belmont will have a levy on its ballot for an additional 1.5-mill property tax for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2025 and first due in 2026. It would generate funds for expenses related to cemetery maintenance and upkeep.

The village of Flushing has a property tax renewal on the ballot for an existing 5-mill levy for five years, commencing in 2025 and first due in 2026. The proposed levy would be for providing and maintaining fire apparatus, appliances, buildings or other sites and/or the purchase of ambulance equipment or the provision of ambulance paramedic, or other emergency medical services.

Kirkwood Township has a property tax on its ballot for an additional 1 mill for five years, commencing in 2025 and first due in 2026 for maintaining and operating cemeteries within the township.

Finally, Wheeling Township has a proposed property tax increase of an additional 0.75

mills for five years, commencing in 2025 and first due in 2026 for current expenses.

Both Monroe and Harrison counties only have Issue 2 on their ballots.

Monroe County Board of Elections Director Molly Landefeld said she wants voters to remember to bring photo identification when they come to vote.

Chervenak added that early voting for the upcoming election has seen a low turnout at the board of elections office.

“We did have 194 voters as of right now cast their ballot successfully here in our office. That does not include our mail number or our mail for absentees … but overall, this election’s been kind of quiet,” she said.

She added that Belmont County is in need of poll workers, specifically with Democratic political affiliation, due to needing each polling location staff to be balanced politically.

“We definitely need some Democratic poll workers to step up and help us provide a balanced election throughout the county,” she said.

Meanwhile, only six Eastern Ohio candidates are running for their party’s nomination for office in the primary election in Belmont County. No candidates filed to seek nominations in Harrison or Monroe counties.

Those who filed include:

President of Council in Martins Ferry — Democrat Phil Wallace, 801 Springhaven Drive.

First Ward Council in Martins Ferry — Republican Robert P. Hunker, 915 South Zane Highway.

Second Ward Council in Martins Ferry — Republican Spencer Echemann, 427 Elm Street.

Village Council in Barnesville — Republican Tony C. Johnson, 725 E. Main Street.

Village Council in Bellaire — Republican Janet Lee Richardson, 210 Second Avenue.

Village Council in Shadyside — Democrat Robert Gorrell, 185 W. 45th Street.