To date, fewer candidates than seats in Bluffton Council race

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The filing deadline for nominating petitions by non-partisan candidates to appear on the November 4 General Election ballot in Ohio is 4:00 p.m. on August 6, 2025 (90 days before the General Election).

Write-in candidates must file declarations of intent by 4:00 p.m. on August 25.

To become a candidate, individuals must collect the designated number of valid voter signatures on the form designated by the Secretary of State and pay a $30 fee.

In the Village of Bluffton, there are four (4) council seats that will be open. As of Friday, August 1, there were three candidates shown on the Allen County Board of Elections website, two with valid applications and one pending verification.

• Thomas Downey (pending) 
• Elizabeth Gordon-Hancock
• Phillip A. Talavinia (incumbent)

As of this date, three long-serving council members have not filed for reelection: Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley and Dave Steiner.

In the Bluffton Exempted Village School District, there are three (3) Board of Education member seats that will be open. As of Friday, August 1, filings were not listed on the Allen County Board of Elections website. This information is expected to be updated on August 4.

In Richland Township, there will be two (2) trustee seats open. On the Allen County Board of Elections website on August 1, Gary Lugibihl is listed as an invalid candidate.

In Orange Township, there will be two (2) trustee seats open according to Bart A. Moser, Orange Township Fiscal Officer. The Hancock County Board of Elections web page on Township offices was not working on August 1. The office said that valid candidates would be available after the deadline.