Primary Election 2024 Redux
A fairly quiet ballot pulls 27% of voters to turnout in the Primary Election
The 2024 Primary Election featured a few key issues: a countywide race for Sheriff, a competitive Republican primary for a United States Senate seat, and several tax issues decided by voters throughout Miami County. Surprisingly, turnout for the 2024 Primary Election, at 27%, was slightly higher than that for the 2020 Primary Election, which was 25%.
Perhaps the most compelling local race, attracting significant interest, was the rematch for County Sheriff between incumbent Dave Duchek and challenger Paul Reece. Both had previously finished first and second, respectively, in a multi-candidate primary in 2016, and faced each other again in a direct contest in 2020. In that election, Dave Duchek emerged victorious with 58% of the vote to 42%, carrying all but 19 precincts in the county. However, the 2024 rematch resulted in an even larger margin of victory for Dave Duchek, who won with 64% of the vote, securing all but 14 precincts in the county.
On a statewide level, the Republican Party's Primary for the United States Senate seat was anticipated to be competitive between businessman Bernie Moreno and State Senator Matt Dolan. Statewide, Moreno secured over 50% of the vote, winning in all of the state's 88 counties. This outcome closely mirrored the results in Miami County, where Moreno won 53% of the vote, carrying all but two precincts; Matt Dolan won in the Troy Precincts of 3-B and 5-B.
However, some of the most intriguing races of the night involved four tax levies across different parts of the county. Voters in Elizabeth Township, one of the more rural areas, rejected an 8.0 mill property levy for Fire and EMS Services by a 79% to 21% margin, with 46% voter turnout. School levies faced similar fates: Bethel Local School District voters turned down a 0.75% continuing income tax for the district by a 64% to 36% margin. Similarly, the Milton-Union School District's proposal for a 1% continuing income tax levy was defeated by a 61% to 39% margin.
The only school district to find success was Tipp City School District, where voters approved an 8.68 mill building levy for the next thirty years. This plan, approved by a relatively close margin of 53% to 47%, will fund a new PK-8 building. Precinct-level data revealed that the eight precincts within Tipp City supported the measure, whereas the five precincts outside the city voted against it.
What are your thoughts and questions about the 2024 Primary Election in Miami County? Please share your ideas and questions in the comment section.
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