Light Voter Turnout, Strong Views

With two levies on the ballot, residents went to the polls to vote in Tuesday's special election.

Issue 3 is a 9.97-mill, 5-year replacement levy for the , while Issue 16 is a 1.6-mill, 5-year levy for the , the current levy for which expires at the end of the year. 

“I almost didn’t vote, because I didn’t want to vote against the issues, but felt I had to,” said Mark Wilson, a Cuyahoga Falls resident. 

Wilson said he voted against both levies. 

“I haven’t really liked a lot of the [Cuyahoga Falls] School Board decisions. They initiated the about combining the school districts, then cut off the talks. It’s counterproductive to have two school boards for one city,” he said. 

Wilson said his family also is unhappy that a teacher at his children’s school may be laid off. 

“She’s a really good teacher. I just have real issues with the funding and the way the city handles the money. Don’t ask me for a levy that’s more than [needed],” he said. 

Wilson said he voted against the library’s levy because patrons are required to live in Cuyahoga Falls. 

However, any Ohio resident is eligible for a card at the library, Donna Dixon, circulation coordinator said. 

“They have to be a resident of the state of Ohio, but not of Cuyahoga Falls,” Dixon said. 

Daniel and Karen Ritchey, both of whom are residents of Cuyahoga Falls, also said they voted against both levies. 

“My honest view is, I don’t think we should have to foot that bill. On my pension plan, we just can’t afford it anymore. They’re going to have to learn how to budget. It’s not that we’re against it; they’re just going to have to find a different way to fund it, that’s all,” Daniel Ritchey said. 

Other voters said they supported both levies. 

“In this economy, I would have to spend a lot more if I had to buy all of the books I read,” Nancy Ellison said, a resident of the Village of Silver Lake.

Currently retired after 44 years as a teacher in public schools both in Ohio and another sate, Ellison said she voted for the school levy due to uncertainty about future state funding for the school district.

“I think they need it. There’s really no way to figure out what’s going on in this legislature right now,” Ellison said. 

Residents both of Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake are eligible to vote for the May 3 ballot because both are within the region served by the district.

John Cross, presiding judge of the 2-F voting precinct, said voter turnout was lighter than expected. 

“Possibly, it’s because there’s only two issues on the ballot, and no candidates. We’re always appreciative when voters come out in this weather,” Cross said.