Early voting starts for primary election

MEDINA TOWNSHIP — There are nine issues on the ballot for the May 4 primary election. Early voting started Tuesday and will run through May 3. After that date, voters will go to the polls, Medina County Board of Elections Executive Director Carol Lawler said. She said 23 people came to the Board of Elections, 3800 Stonegate Drive, on Tuesday for the first day of voting. The board mailed out 265 absentee ballots to voters who requested them. The Board of Elections will be open later the closer it gets to the election. From today until April 25, it's open 8 a.m to 5 p.m. From April 26-30, it will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will have special weekend hours the week before the election. It will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 2. On the Monday before the election, the board of elections will be open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the last day to vote early. Unlike the presidential election last November, the primary elections normally don't draw as many voters. "We expect it to be a slower turnout," Lawler said. "It's almost a countywide election with all the issues on the ballot." Included on the ballot are two school levies, in Brunswick and Highland, along with the controversial Medina County Courthouse ordinance in the city of Medina. On Issue 1, city of Medina voters will decide whether the city can move Medina Municipal Court into the Medina County Courthouse project. The following are the issues on the ballot: Issue 1: City of Medina proposed ordinance for Medina County Courthouse. Issue 2: City of Wadsworth fire, property tax, additional, 1.5 mills, 5 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 3: Brunswick Hills Township police, property tax, replacement, 2.5 mills, 5 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 4: Homer Township roads and bridges, property tax, additional, 2.5 mills, 5 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 5: Montville Township ambulance/EMS, property tax, renewal, 0.75 mills, 5 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 6: Montville Township safety services, property tax, replacement, 1.3 mills, 5 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 7: York Township roads and bridges, property tax, additional, 1.5 mills, 5 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 8: Brunswick Schools emergency requirements, property tax, additional, 5.9 mills, 10 years, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Issue 9: Highland Schools necessary requirements, property tax, substitute, 4.7 mills, continuing period of time, commencing 2021, first due 2022. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.