Belmont County Primary Records 27% Turnout, School Levy Passes, Shadyside Levy Fails

*TL;DR: Belmont County saw a 27.18% primary turnout, a razor‑thin approval of the Union Local School District levy, and a defeat of Shadyside Village’s expense levy.

Context The May 2026 primary marked the first major election in Belmont County since the 2024 cycle. Voter participation fell below a third of registered voters, a figure that underscores growing disengagement in local contests.

Key Facts - Registered voter turnout stood at 27.18%, meaning roughly one in four eligible voters cast a ballot. - In the Union Local School District, the levy to fund school operations passed by a margin of 27 votes: 1,157 in favor, 1,130 opposed. - Shadyside Village voters rejected a Current Expenses Levy, which would have added 1.35 mills (a mill equals one‑tenth of a cent per dollar of property value) for five years; the measure lost 416 to 358. - Other local measures saw decisive outcomes: Martis Ferry approved a police levy renewal (5 mills for five years) 572‑176, the EORTA service area renewed a 2.5‑mill levy 1,671‑898, and the Memorial Park District renewed a 0.5‑mill park levy 1,467‑898. - Republican primary races produced close finishes: Josh Meyer led the County Auditor race with 3,658 votes, while Dominic DeFelice topped the County Commissioner field with 3,438 votes.

What It Means The low turnout suggests that most residents are not influencing decisions that directly affect school funding and local services. The Union Local School District levy’s narrow passage indicates a community split on how to finance education, yet the approval ensures continued operation of schools without immediate budget cuts. Conversely, Shadyside Village’s rejection of its expense levy signals voter resistance to additional property tax burdens, potentially limiting the village’s ability to fund upcoming projects.

Future elections will test whether these patterns persist. Watch for the November general election, where higher‑stakes races may either mobilize the silent majority or reinforce the current disengagement trend.