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LAKE COUNTY – Another November election is over and, overall, only one third of the county’s 152,665 registered voters came to the polls to vote.

The new election software program the Board of Elections purchased in 2018, makes it easy to see who won the various races, and has a map to show precinct by precinct voter participation, which ranged from a low of about 15 percent to a high of almost 59 percent. Other reports available online can provide information such as how many votes were cast in early voting, by mail, and on Election Day for each candidate and issue.
While many races were uncontested, some did have challengers.
In some of the more notable races:
Concord Township Trustee Paul R. Malchesky won the Painesville Municipal Court Judgeship vacated by retired Judge Michael Cicconetti over James R. O’Leary who was appointed to fill the position temporarily.
Kirtland Mayor Douglas E. Davidson lost his bid for re-election to Kevin Potter.
Andy Gardner easily won the election for Willoughby Hills mayor over his two council member opponents, David M. Fiebig and Nancy E. Fellows.
North Perry Mayor Ed Klco won re-election over his opponents, Council Member Michael Cutler and Ronald Kaleal.
In the Concord Township race to fill the trustee seat being vacated by retiring Trustee Connie Luhta, Morgan R. McIntosh won over Jack Miley.
In Painesville Township incumbent Gabe Cicconetti easily retained his trustee seat over opponents Beth Knezevich and Charles E. Asbury.
Perry Township Trustee Rick C. Amos also won easily over opponent Arnold Stanko.
There were, of course, winners and losers among the issues placed on the ballot.
Concord Township voters, despite the administration’s best efforts, voted down the bond issue for a new main fire station by about 65 percent of the vote.
In Leroy Township, about 56 percent of the voters opposed the road levy.
Laketran officials are pleased as about 58 percent of the voters approved the 0.25 percent increase in sales tax.
In a very close contest, the vote against continuing the Lake County School Financing District was 8,224 to 8,170 with just a .32 percent difference. Since there are still outstanding absentee ballots to be counted, this is could require a recount.
According to Ohio State law, a recount is required “if the difference between the declared winning and losing candidates, or winning and losing local question or issue after the official canvass is equal to or less than a margin of one-half of 1 percent of the total vote for that office, question or issue. The cost of conducting the recount is publicly funded, and no deposit is required. (R.C. 3515.011).”
Although the vote was close, Perry Township voters appear to have approved the road levy, 782 to 728.
The Willoughby-Eastlake Library had no trouble getting its levy passed, but the Willoughby-Eastlake School District was not so lucky with a vote of 9,387-8,081.Wickliffe’s CSD bond issue passed, as did the Eastlake fire levy.
The Painesville police levy had support from nearly 66 percent of the voters, as did the Fairport Harbor tax levy. Lakeline’s tax levy passed with about 60 percent of the vote.
Timberlake’s ordinance on recreational vehicles failed, but its three operating levies passed, as did its safety forces levy.
Since there are still ballots which were mailed to be counted and there are usually provisional ballots to be verified, it will be a couple weeks before the final results are available from the Board of Elections.