Portage County voters made their voices heard in the November 4, 2025 General Election, selecting new local leaders and weighing in on a variety of tax levies across the county. According to the Portage County Board of Elections, voter turnout was just over 26,000 ballots — roughly one quarter of registered voters.
Township and City Races
In Brimfield Township, seven candidates competed for two trustee seats. Kevin Scott and Nicholas Coia received the most votes, earning new terms on the township board. For fiscal officer, Jasmine Golden defeated Blake Johnson by a comfortable margin, 1,390 votes to 678.
In Kent, voters selected three city council members. Benjamin Tipton led the field, followed by Tracy Wallach and Sarah Elizabeth Wesley. The results reflect voter confidence in continuing the city’s focus on infrastructure, housing, and downtown development initiatives.
Judge Melissa Roubic retained her seat at the Portage County Municipal Court after running for re-election. Her victory secures continued leadership in one of the county’s busiest local courts.
Levies and Issues
Voters across the county faced numerous local issues, including renewals and replacements for schools, fire protection, and road maintenance.
Most renewal levies passed comfortably, signaling continued support for essential services.
However, two Palmyra Township levies — one for fire protection and one for EMS services — were narrowly defeated, indicating residents’ reluctance to approve new or higher taxes.
In Streetsboro, an additional levy for Streetsboro City Schools was rejected, with 2,075 votes against and 1,181 in favor. District leaders said they would revisit funding plans in the coming months.
Elsewhere in the county, smaller township levies passed by clear margins. Bloom Township voters approved a replacement levy for fire protection, and Freedom Township renewed its road levy, ensuring continued maintenance and safety improvements.
Countywide Trends
The 2025 election results reflected steady participation and broad support for maintaining community services rather than expanding them. Most ballot issues involved renewal funding — an approach that allows schools and townships to continue existing programs without raising new taxes.
The defeats in Palmyra Township and Streetsboro show that while voters value public services, they remain cautious about additional spending.
What’s Next
The Portage County Board of Elections will certify the results after completing the official canvass, which includes verifying provisional ballots and write-in votes. Certification is expected within the next two weeks.
Once certified, newly elected officials will begin preparing for their terms, which start January 1, 2026.
Discover more from Northeast Ohio News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
