>> YOU DECIDE: Dayton Voter Guide 2017
There are 196 races and 521 candidates in Montgomery, Warren, Miami, Greene, Clark, Champaign, and Butler counties. You can find comprehensive information on the issues and races on Dayton Daily News' 2017 Voter Guide.
Below are five of the most important issues and races.
1.) THE KIDS
The health of a school system is great importance. If you don’t believe us, ask any family deciding where to put down roots, or companies looking to expand.
The turbulent Dayton School District has replaced most of its top leaders in the past 15 months or so.
Eight candidates are battling it out for four seats on the Dayton school board in the Nov. 7 election: Mohamed Al-Hamdani, Paul Bradley, Ann Marie "Mario" Gallin, William Harris, Jo'el Jones, Karen Wick-Gagnet, Jocelyn Rhynard and Joe Lacey, the only incumbent.
>> MORE: Who are the 8 people running for Dayton School Board
Looking for a complicated issue? You’ve found it with Issue 2.
The two-line ballot language seems simple enough, according to articles by Katie Wedell, a reporter for this news organization.
Issue 2 "would require that state-funded health care programs like Medicaid pay no more for prescription drugs than the lowest price paid by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
It also gives the petitioners the right to intervene in any legal challenge brought against the law, with Ohio taxpayers picking up their legal fees."
As we’ve said, the issue seems simple, but it has sparked complicated statewide debate.
>> MORE: Issue 2 pits emotion against complex drug pricing system
>> MORE: What you need to know about the hottest issue on Ohio’s ballot
3.) THE FIRST ISSUE
Issue 1 involves the very serious topic of crime victims’ rights.
If the changes to the state’s constitution are approved, victims or anyone harmed by a crime would have the right to receive notifications, give input in court proceedings and receive full and timely restitution.
Victims could also refuse discovery requests made by the defense, be guaranteed privacy and reasonable protection, and have a right to "prompt conclusion of the case," according to reporting by Laura A. Bischoff of our Columbus bureau.
>> MORE: Issue 1 would change constitution to give crime victims more rights
4.) SINCLAIR’S LEVY RENEWAL
Because it is a renewal, Montogomery County residents will not see an increase in taxes if its levy passes.
The 10-year, 3.2 mill levy would bring in about around $27 million for the college. Sinclair's main campus is in downtown Dayton.
Revenue from the levy makes up roughly 20 percent of the school’s funding.
>> MORE: Sinclair College on the move: What’s really going on
5.) HUMAN SERVICES
Montgomery County's 8-year, 6.03 mill human services levy is up for renewal. Passage of the levy would leave the tax at the current level.
It raises $56 million annually, and is used primarily for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, Children Services, Developmental Disabilities Services, and Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County as well as senior services, health care for uninsured individuals and other social services.
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