Delaware County voters will have two countywide issues to consider besides statewide Issue 3 – which asks whether photo ID should be required at polls under the Ohio Constitution – and most voters will also decide a proposed first-ever sales and use tax to fund the county's transit system.
Residents served by the Central Ohio Transit Authority in parts of Columbus, Dublin and Westerville in southern Delaware County already pay a total 8% sales tax, of which 1% goes to COTA for its LinkUs bus rapid transit system as well as improving bicycle lanes, shared-use paths and trails and more.
The Delaware County Regional Transit Authority issue on the Nov. 3 ballot proposes to charge a 0.2% sales or use tax in the rest of the county. If approved, the measure
would charge a first-ever sales or use tax of 20 cents on a $100 purchase of tangible good or service for transit use.
The authority now operates on fares; federal, state and local grants; and other operating assistance. In fiscal year 2026, it spent $6.75 million and had an operating deficit of more than $2.2 million that it is covering with reserves. If the tax is approved, the estimated $10.5 million in annual revenue would enable the agency to provide new service lines in Powell and Liberty Township and expand service in Delaware city and Orange Township, among other things.
Two other countywide agencies, along with several municipalities or public agencies, are seeking levy increases. Voters in Sunbury are voting on a charter amendment on whether to allow data centers in the city.
Early in-person voting in Ohio is underway and ends Nov. 1 with varying hours and limited weekend times. To see the full schedule, go to the Ohio Secretary of State's voting schedule at: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voting-schedule
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Applications for absentee ballots to vote by mail must be received by boards of elections by close of business on Oct. 27. Absentee ballots must be received by mail or returned to county boards of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Here is a round-up of the issues on November general election ballots in Delaware County communities. NOTE: Local liquor options are not included in this list as those issues are decided only by voters in local precincts where the restaurants, stores and other businesses applying are located.
Countywide
Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities – Proposed additional tax of 1.8 mills for five years that would generate an estimated $25,448,490 in funding. If approved, property owners would pay $63 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board (Delaware and Morrow counties) Proposed levy renewal for five years and increase of 0.5-mill to a total of 2 mills that would generate an estimated $23,005,505 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $50 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Delaware County Regional Transit Authority (countywide except those parts covered by COTA) – Proposed 0.2% sales and use tax for a continuing period to provide additional general revenues, fund a regional transportation improvement project or funding public infrastructure projects, and to pay the expenses of administering the levy. If approved, the total sales tax in those areas would rise to 7.20%.
Municipal or other public agencies
Columbus (Franklin County and parts of Delaware and Fairfield counties) – There are two proposed city charter amendments summarized below. A full text of the proposed amendments can be found at https://columbusdistricts.com/2026-ballot/.
The language can also be accessed by clicking the link with each issue number.
● Issue 8– Proposed amendment submitted by citizen petition to limit voting for the nine district council seats to only those living in those districts instead of the current citywide vote.
●Issue 9 – Proposed city charter amendment placed on ballot by city council that would limit voting for the nine district council seats to only those living in the district AND add two at-large council members to be elected in 2027 and two additional at-large members to be elected in 2029. All at-large council members would be elected for four-year staggered terms, and would transition council from nine to 13 members.
Sunbury – Proposed city charter amendment that would prohibit construction of data centers in the city.
Galena – Proposed additional 2 mills for current expenses for four years. If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $192,942 annually for the village and cost property owners $70 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Berlin Township – Renewal of a fire department levy of 2.95 mills for five years. If approved, property owners would pay $103 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Concord Township – Renewal of a 1-mill levy for roads and bridges for five years that would generate $325,427 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $11 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Harlem Township – Renewal of a 4-mill levy for fire protection that will generate an estimated $956,658 annually. If approved, property owners will pay $97 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Orange Township (2 levies):
● An additional levy of 1 mill for roads and bridges for five years that will generate an estimated nearly $2.28 million annually. If approved, property owners would pay $35 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
● A renewal levy of 1 mill for parks and recreation for five years. If approved, property owners would pay $20 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Oxford Township – Renewal levy of 1.2 mills for roads and bridges for five years, which would generate an estimated $44,807 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $30 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Berkshire, Sunbury, Trenton & Galena (B.S.T.&G) Joint Fire District – Renewal of 4.85 mills and an increase of 2.5 mills for fire protection for five years that will collect just over $6 million annually. If approved, property owners will pay $176 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Schools
Delaware Area Career Center (Delaware County and parts of Franklin, Marion, Morrow, and Union counties) – Renewal for 10 years of part of an existing levy and a decrease to 0.40-mill for school buildings and facilities plus 0.35-mill for current expenses for a combined total 0.75-mill that will generate an estimated $5,773,576 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $18 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Most Delaware County voters to consider 0.2% sales or use tax for transit
