Early in-person absentee voting is available at the Adams County Board of Elections, 923 Sunrise Avenue, Room 101, West Union, OH. Voting hours run through November 2, including evening and weekend slots for voter convenience.(Photo by Ryan Applegate)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
Early voting is now underway in Adams County for the November 4, 2025 General Election, giving residents several opportunities to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Voters can take advantage of extended hours at the Adams County Board of Elections office in West Union, located at 923 Sunrise Avenue, Room 101. The office will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. through October 24, with evening and weekend hours beginning the week of October 27. Those hours include 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on October 27 and 29 through 31, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. on October 28, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 2.
This year’s ballot is one of the most comprehensive in recent memory, featuring a mix of countywide issues, local levies, and township and village offices. All voters across Adams County will see three countywide tax questions on their ballots. A renewal levy for the Adams County Health Department would continue the existing 0.5 mill rate for five years beginning in 2026, generating an estimated $268,429 annually, or about $14 for every $100,000 in taxable property value. Another renewal levy supports the Adams County Senior Citizens Council at 0.7 mill for five years beginning in 2026, expected to raise $340,092 annually, or about $17 per $100,000 of valuation. The third countywide measure is an additional levy for Adams County Children Services, including the care and placement of children at Wilson Children’s Home. The proposed 1 mill levy would begin in 2025, raise approximately $631,465 annually, and cost property owners roughly $35 per $100,000 in taxable value.
Several school districts throughout the county also have board of education races on the ballot. These include the Adams County/Ohio Valley, Bright Local, Eastern Local, and Manchester Local school districts. Voters in parts of the county will also elect members to the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board and the Brown County Educational Service Center, as well as fill seats for the Eastern Brown Local School District.
Township and village ballots across Adams County include numerous local offices and levy questions. In Bratton Township, voters will select two trustees and decide a replacement levy for road improvements set at 2 mills for five years. Franklin Township voters will also elect two trustees and consider a 0.7 mill renewal levy for cemetery maintenance. In Oliver Township, ballots include the election of two trustees and two 2 mill levies—one a replacement and increase for fire protection, the other a replacement levy for road repairs.
Green Township residents will elect two trustees and vote on renewal levies for fire protection and cemetery maintenance, each set at 2 mills for five years. Monroe Township ballots include contests for two trustee positions and the office of fiscal officer for an unexpired term. Manchester Township voters will select trustees and decide on a 1 mill replacement levy for township current expenses, while voters within the Village of Manchester will elect council members and decide a 4 mill replacement levy for police protection. A liquor option is also on the ballot for a local private club seeking Sunday sales.
Seaman Village voters will find a 3.5 mill renewal levy for village current expenses and a 2.7 mill fire levy for Scott Township. Council members and township trustees will also be elected, and a liquor option asks voters whether a local business should be permitted to sell wine and mixed beverages on Sundays. Wayne Township voters will elect trustees and decide a 3 mill renewal levy for current expenses.
Additional local races appear across Liberty, Winchester, Brush Creek, and Jefferson townships, each with trustee elections and various levies for fire protection, cemeteries, or road maintenance. Winchester Village voters will decide a 3 mill replacement levy for current expenses, while Brush Creek Township voters will consider a 1 mill renewal levy for cemetery maintenance. Jefferson Township voters will see two liquor option questions for Blue Creek General Store, asking whether to permit sales of beer, wine, mixed beverages, and spirituous liquor, including Sunday sales.
Across Adams County, local tax measures, school board elections, and township races will determine funding for essential community services and local representation for the next several years. With early voting continuing through November 2, residents are encouraged to take advantage of expanded voting hours and ensure their voices are heard on issues that directly affect the county’s health, safety, and education services.
