Adams County Board of Elections Director Stephanie Lewis praised the efficient and seamless voting process the county experienced this year. Lewis shared that the last reports, including absentee ballots, were in by 10:30 p.m., a timeline she noted as one of the county’s smoothest in years. The transition to a new polling location may have contributed to this success, along with improved procedural changes.

Absentee voting played a notable role, marking 39% of the total registered voters in the county—a significant increase compared to previous years. “We voted more people absentee here in the office than voted on Election Day, and I don’t know that that’s happened since I’ve been here,” Lewis remarked.

Provisional ballots remain under review, with 280 ballots still being assessed.

Adams County’s local election results demonstrated clear choices across several issues and races. Some highlights include:

• U.S. Presidential Results: In Adams County, former President Donald J. Trump led with 10,056 votes, followed by Vice President Kamala D. Harris with 2,073 votes. Other candidates, such as Chase Oliver and Richard Duncan, received a small share of votes.

• Ohio Supreme Court: Michael P. Donnelly received 2,108 votes, while Megan E. Shanahan took a commanding lead with 9,381 votes. Similarly, Joseph T. Deters led Melody J. Stewart with 9,522 votes to Stewart’s 2,119. Shanahan and Deters were elected to the court.

• U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown received 2,410 votes in Adams County, but Republican Bernie Moreno dominated the county’s ballots with 9,142 votes. In what was described as the most expensive Senate election in history, Moreno defeated Brown and will take his seat in the US Senate.

•Local Officials: Adams County’s ballot featured a competitive race for County Prosecutor, along with several uncontested races that reflect continued local support for certain officials.

Adams County Prosecutor: Republican Aaron E. Haslam won with 8,961 votes to defeat Democrat candidate David Osborne, Jr., who received 2,673 votes. Haslam’s victory emphasizes voters’ trust in his vision for handling the county’s legal matters and commitment to public safety.

Adams County Prosecutor Aaron E. Haslam offered a heartfelt message of gratitude to the community, reflecting on the trust and responsibility bestowed upon him by the voters. “I am deeply humbled and honored by the trust and support of nearly 80% of the voters in Adams County,” Haslam stated. “This overwhelming vote of confidence is a testament to the values we share as a community. It reinforces my commitment to serve the people of this great county with integrity and dedication.”

Haslam highlighted the unique nature of this election, where principles and values resonated strongly with the voters. “Yes, I believe this election was different. In these times, it’s more important than ever for our elected leaders to stand firm in their principles and values. The people of Adams County have spoken loud and clear: they want a prosecutor who is not only experienced but also grounded in conservative values and a strong faith. This election was not just about party affiliation, but about the shared commitment to protecting our way of life and ensuring that justice is served with integrity,” he added.

Throughout his career, Haslam has emphasized stability and a dedication to community-focused justice. He reassured residents of his ongoing commitment to these principles, saying, “My commitment to serving you with fairness, transparency, and accountability remains steadfast. I am here to protect your families, uphold the law, and ensure that justice is carried out for everyone in our community.”

Haslam reiterated his deep gratitude and commitment, saying, “As your Prosecutor, I will continue to lead with faith, integrity, and dedication. Together, we can ensure that Adams County remains a safe and thriving community where justice is upheld, and our values are honored.” He acknowledged the importance of working in unison with the community to uphold justice, concluding, “Thank you, and may God bless Adams County.”

Lisa A. Newman was re-elected County Treasurer without opposition, receiving 10,252 votes, Lee Pertuset retained his position as County Engineer with 10,071 votes, David B. Parrett will continue as County Coroner after securing 10,144 votes, Jason Hayslip received 10,089 votes taking the position of Commissioner for the term starting Jan. 2, Barbara Moore tallied 8,964 votes to retain her postion as Commissioner for the term starting Jan. 3, Larry Heller earned 10,160 votes to remain Clerk of Coutrs, Kenneth W. Dick tallied 10,192 votes and will be the next Adams County Sheriff, and Chris Moore received 9,726 votes for the psotion of County Recorder.

• Local Tax Levies: Mixed results were seen across local levies. For example, the Adams County 911 Tax Levy passed narrowly with 5,872 votes in favor to 5,806 against, while the Adams County Children’s Services Tax Levy did not pass, with 6,284 votes against versus 5,400 in favor.

• Village of Peebles Levies: Current Expenses Levy 1: Passed with 373 votes in favor and 272 against, securing funds for general expenses needed to operate the village; Current Expenses Levy 2: Also passed, with 355 votes in favor and 281 against; Fire Services Levy: Passed with a strong 432 votes in favor and 220 against, ensuring continued funding for the village’s fire protection and emergency response services.; Peebles 1st Stop Liquor Option- Passed with 499 votes in favor and 407 against, allowing the 1st Stop location to offer alcohol sales, which may boost local business revenue.

• Village of Winchester Levies: Current Expenses Levy 1: Failed with 195 votes in favor and 226 against; Current Expenses Levy 2: Also failed with 187 votes in favor and 228 against. The rejection of these levies indicates challenges in securing funds for Winchester’s operational costs.

• Township-Specific Levies: Bratton Township Current Expenses Levy- Failed with 340 votes in favor and 357 against, leaving the township to seek alternative funding sources for general operations; Oliver Township Road Repairs Levy- Failed to pass, with 198 votes in favor and 252 against, which could lead to reduced road maintenance funding; Wayne Township Fire Services Levy- Passed with 409 votes in favor and 239 against, providing funding to maintain and enhance fire protection services.

These levy results reflect varied support for tax-based funding across the county, with some areas seeing strong support for emergency and fire services, while others remain cautious about additional tax burdens.

The increase in absentee voting, combined with various competitive local races and referendums, painted a detailed picture of civic engagement across the county.

The 2024 national election has proven to be a pivotal moment in American politics, with substantial implications on the future political landscape. Here’s an overview of key races and their potential impact:

• U.S. Presidential Election: The race saw an intense face-off, with early results indicating a deeply polarized electorate. With high voter turnout across many states, issues such as healthcare, the economy, and climate policy remain central. The results of this election are expected to either reaffirm or drastically shift current policies and international relationships. The victory by Donald J. Trump makes him just the second US President to serve two non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland being the first.

• Congressional Control: Both the U.S. House and Senate races were fiercely contested, with potential shifts that could impact legislative agendas on key issues like immigration reform, economic stimulus measures and Supreme Court appointments.

The outcomes of these elections, both locally and nationally, indicate an electorate divided yet highly engaged. The surge in absentee voting in Adams County reflects a broader national trend that suggests voters are increasingly considering alternative voting methods. Should absentee voting continue at this level, election boards may need to adapt quickly to accommodate this demand with adequate staffing and secure processing methods.

For Ohio and beyond, the results signal a period of careful recalibration. Republican wins in rural areas, as seen in Adams County, indicate continued strong support for conservative platforms. Meanwhile, urban centers are leaning toward policies that may counterbalance those favored in rural areas, setting up a legislative season marked by negotiation and potential stalemates.

The results in Adams County, combined with the national election outcomes, reinforce the importance of voter engagement in shaping the immediate future. As provisional and outstanding absentee ballots continue to be counted, the full picture of this election will soon come into sharper focus, providing insights into the next steps for both Adams County and the nation.

For full local election results, visit https://www.boe.ohio.gov/adams/c/elecres/20241105results.pdf.