Election polls have closed


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Polls for Tuesday’s election have closed.

Voters around the Miami Valley are deciding who the two candidates will be for Dayton mayor and who the four candidates will be for the City Commission in November.

Llyn McCoy, deputy director of the Greene County Board of Elections, described voting action overall as “smooth and slow.” She predicts a 25 percent voter turnout.

Just 71 of 146 precincts are open in the county, because there are only two issues on the ballot.

McCoy said the biggest problem Greene County election workers encountered has been that voters who live in communities with no issues on the ballot called or showed up at polling locations wanting to vote.

But, Beavercreek resident Ron Reynolds and his family said just finding where to cast their ballots was a challenge. Reynolds said their polling location was moved and they were not notified.

Precinct 36, where the Reynolds vote, is generally housed with township precincts, which were not active in Tuesday’s election. So, the Reynolds’ voting location was moved to the Vineyard church on North Fairfield Road.

“We voted at the same place for years and then they moved us three times,” said Reynolds, adding he was not notified of the change.

McCoy said the information was posted on the Board of Elections website and postcards were mailed to voters impacted by the change.

Voters in Beavercreek are being asked to consider a 1.5 percent earned income tax to help pay for road and bridge repairs, offset cuts in state funding and refurbish its parks and city buildings.

If the income tax passes, the city will be required to let lapse by 2017 two street levies and a police levy, foregoing an estimated $52 million in revenue.

Voters who spoke with the Dayton Daily News as they exited the Vineyard church polling location on North Fairfield Road in Beavercreek had divided opinions on the tax.

Jack Mooney, 66, who is retired and lives on a fixed income, said he voted for the city income tax.

“Property taxes are getting out of hand. I can’t keep up,” Mooney said. “Maybe this income tax will help.”

Ron Reynolds, 75, said he has lived in Beavercreek for 40 years and he has been opposed to a municipal tax every time it has been brought up.

“We just can’t buy into the logic that they’re going to reduce our property taxes if this passes,” Reynolds said.

Jennifer Moser, 37, too opposed the tax issue.

“They’re going to get the money one way or another. I’d rather the tax be on property. That way it’s fixed and you know what it’s going to be.”

Rebecca Smith, 64, said she thinks the tax is worthwhile.

“We’re already paying the tax. It’s just going to go to Beavercreek instead of another city getting it.”

City of Dayton voters will choose the mayor and commission candidates who will appear on the November ballot.

Incumbent Mayor Gary Leitzell is being challenged by former judge and county auditor A. J. Wagner, and City Commissioner Nan Whaley. The top two vote-getters will advance to the November election. In the same election, four of the following five city commission candidates will advance – Joey Williams, David Esrati, David K. Greer, Joesph Lutz and Jeffrey Mims.

Chuck and Lois Kinter of Dayton said they were pleased to have so many good choices on the Dayton ballot, so many in fact the couple was still deliberating on who to vote for as they walked into their polling location at Grace Methodist Church late this morning.

“There are two things to consider,” Chuck Kinter, 81, said. “Who do you know personally and what do you know about their past behavior. “

Mother and son, Naomi and Randy Thomas, said they believe city of Dayton voters will go for experience, when it comes to selecting a mayor.

“People know A. J. Wagner as a judge. He was a judge for a long time. He has a lot of experience,” Randy Thomas said.

Voter turnout has been mixed in Miami County, Election’s Director Drew Higgins said.

On precinct in Troy where voters are selecting three candidates in a Republican primary, only 23 voters had cast just before 4 p.m.

Tipp City, however, where citizens are considering an additional 4.93 mills levy for schools, more than 300 voters have cast ballots.

“I’d like to say we’ll be somewhere in the 18 percent range (for voter turnout), which is about normal,” Higgins said.

A light but steady stream of Beavercreek and Fairborn voters were casting ballots this morning as election day got under way.

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