- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Ohio State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process. 
- State Senators are involved in approving some appointments by the Governor.
- The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Ohio General Assembly.
- There are 33 Ohio senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $63,007.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Ohio Senate

Ohio

2024 Ohio General Election

Taxes

Public Safety

Economy

Healthcare

Education

Voting & Elections

Energy & the Environment

State Senator

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 99 members of the Ohio House of Representatives. The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is a limit of 4 successive terms. 

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Ohio House of Representatives. 

Public Health

State Representative

- County commissioners are in charge of county renewal projects and maintaining the streets, roads, and public utilities. These projects try to improve the quality of life in the county, like increasing access to food or award grants to bring jobs. 
- County commissioners control budgeting and appropriations in the county. This means that county commissioners control what organizations and individuals receive the money from the county budget. 
- County commissioners have authority over government taxing and purchasing, and they hold the titles to all of the county property. 
- County commissioners in Ohio are typically elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Depending on your county, you may vote for the seat in your County Commission District, or all of them at-large. 

Member of the governing body for the county, has authority over taxing, budgeting, county property, and public services like utilities. 

Ottawa

Public Transportation

Transportation & Infrastructure

Housing & Urban Development

Public Services

County Commission Member

- The county clerk of courts serves as a record keeper, filing, processing, and maintaining all cases and documents submitted to the court of common pleas and the court of appeals, as well as keeping vehicle title records.
- This position also includes the role of court administrator, overseeing the administration of the court and, in some counties, managing probate and juvenile courts.
- The county clerk acts as a financial manager, handling the collection, investment, and distribution of funds from court fees, fines, and car sales tax.
- As an employee manager, the clerk supervises a team responsible for carrying out these various duties.
- The county clerk is elected through a partisan election for a four-year term, with a salary ranging from $67,344 to $113,071, depending on the county's population. 

Oversees the county's court records, judicial administration, vehicle titles, and finances

Judicial Efficiency

Property Rights

Administration

Criminal Justice

County Clerk of Courts 

- The county engineer must be licensed and registered as both a professional engineer and a surveyor.
- They are responsible for planning, building, and maintaining county roads and bridges.
- The county engineer also provides services to townships.
- As a surveyor, they maintain the county auditor’s tax maps using documentation such as deeds and property surveys.
- The county engineer is elected every four years in a partisan election, with a salary ranging from $81,420 to $142,200 based on county population and additional private practice work. 

Surveyor and civil engineer responsible for the county's bridges, roads, and drainage

County Engineer

- County Prosecutors are attorneys that handle criminal and civil legal action for the people in their county. The County Prosecutor can choose the cases they want to take.
- County Prosecutors can also represent the state if the state is being sued. 
- They also have the discretion of whether or not to bring charges against arrested people, whether or not to seek jail time, or whether or not to send individuals to pre-trial diversion programs. 
- The County Prosecutor advises cities, townships, boards, departments, and county officials on legal matters. 
- County Prosecutors are elected to terms of 4 years. There are no term limits for this office. 

Legal Experience

Consumer Protection

County Prosecutor

- The County Sheriff has complete police jurisdiction over all municipalities, and provides full police protection to the unincorporated areas of the county.
- The County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the laws of Ohio and the United States. 
- County Sheriffs are responsible for operating and maintaining the county jail. 
- The County Sheriff aids the Common Pleas Court with security during trials, issues warrants, and serves court orders. 
- County Sheriffs are elected to 4 year terms. 

The chief law enforcement officer in the county.

Jail Management

County Sheriff

- The county treasurer manages the collection, investment, and distribution of money from property taxes and other county funds. The treasurer can implement programs for installment tax payments and low-cost loans for small businesses.
- This role ensures the county maintains good financial health and stability.
- The treasurer serves on various boards, including the county budget commission and investment advisory committee.
- They collaborate with the county prosecutor to collect delinquent taxes and have the authority to accept partial tax payments.
- Elected every four years, the treasurer's salary varies based on county population, ranging from $59,800 to $100,500.

Corruption

Financial Management

County Treasurer

- The county recorder is responsible for keeping and indexing records of legally essential documents and making them easily accessible to the public
- The recorder manages real estate paperwork, such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. Legal records, including those on bankruptcy, power of attorney, recognizance bonds, and partnerships, are also maintained by the county recorder. 
- The county recorder records subdivision parcel maps and local zoning resolutions and amendments. To keep records accessible, the recorder updates technology and copies old documents.
- The county recorder is elected every four years through a partisan election, with salaries ranging from $57,200 to $98,600 based on county population. 

2024 Ohio candidates

Ohio State Senator, District 12

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Ohio State Representative, District 78

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Commission Member

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Clerk of Courts

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Engineer

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Prosecutor

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Sheriff

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Treasurer

1 candidate

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Ottawa County Recorder

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Ottawa County Commission Member

2 candidates

How this impacts you