By Paula Scott

The Allen County Board of Elections has posted a listing of filing deadlines for the Primary Election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 and General Election on 2023 Tuesday, November 7, 2023. 

A State of Ohio candidate requirement guide can be found HERE.

Village of Bluffton, Bluffton Exempted Village Schools, Richland Township and Village of Beaverdam election information is listed below.

VILLAGE OF BLUFFTON
The Village of Bluffton will have the following seats on the general election ballot:

- Mayor
- Council (2)

Party candidates must file by February 1, 2023 (90 days before the Primary Election). No party candidates must file by May 1, 2023 (1 day prior to Primary Election).

A primary will only take place if enough candidates from either party file, requiring a runoff.

Village of Bluffton elected officials with terms expiring on December 31, 2023 are:

Mayor Richard Lee Johnson - Republican
Council member Joseph W Sehlhorst
Council member Benjamin Lawrence Stahl

BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education will have two (2) non-partisan seats on the general election ballot. 

Bluffton School board members with terms expiring on December 31, 2023 are:

Lawrence Edward Hoffman
Jeremy Patrick Scoles

BLUFFTON ISSUES

As of January 24, no issues had been filed for the Village of Bluffton. Kira’s Flipside Grill, 133 N Main St, has announced that it is circulating a petition in Bluffton Precinct B to put Sunday liquor sales on the ballot.

ALLEN COUNTY ISSUES
Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District has filed two levy renewal issues to be voted on in all Allen County voting precincts.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 

The Board of Trustees for Richland Township will have one (1) seat on the ballot.

Trustee with term expiring on December 31, 2023 is:

Donald K. Brauen

VILLAGE OF BEAVERDAM

Beaverdam will have three (3) seats on the general election ballot:

- Mayor
- Council (2)

Village of Beaverdam elected officials with terms expiring on December 31, 2023 are:

Mayor Pamela S. LePine 
Council member Carl L. Murray
Council member Anthony E. Myers

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES

Primary Election Deadline for write-in candidates is February 21, 2023 (72 days before the Primary Election). General Election Deadline for write-in candidates is August 28, 2023 (72 days before the General Election).