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Ohio U.S. Senate race
Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown during a rally at the Athens Armory in Athens, Oct. 20, 2026. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)
Photo provided by the Husted campaign.
48.9% 44.9% Polling information via FiftyPlusOne. Results as of Oct. 26, 2026 2 / THE POST | ELECTION 2026 SPECIAL SECTION | OCT. 27, 2026
BRIDGET THOMAS FOR THE POST Ohioans cast their votes Nov. 3 in a highly contested Senate race that has major implications for the majority in the chamber. Republican Sen. Jon Husted currently holds the position and is being challenged by Democrat former Sen. Sherrod Brown, Libertarian Bill Redpath and Independent Greg Levy. Brown is originally from Mansfield. His political career began when he was elected to serve in Ohio’s House of Representatives from 1975 to 1982. He then served as Ohio’s secretary of state from 1983 to 1991. Brown also served in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 2007 before becoming a U.S. senator. Brown then served in the Senate from 2007 to 2025 before losing his seat to Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno in the 2024 election. During his time in the Senate, Brown was the chair of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Brown’s campaign to get back to the Senate is focused on “fighting for Ohioans,” specifically Ohio’s workers. Taylor Sappington, the Athens County treasurer and a long-time supporter of Brown, said Brown’s commitment to workers is significant to him. “He’s a nice, decent person, and he works for regular people and regular policies,” Saffington said. “Instead of getting involved in the drama, billionaires, all the things we see people get distracted by.” Brown’s campaign claims the cost of living is too high and pledges to bring down prices for healthcare, utilities and groceries. He also calls for banning stock trading for members of Congress. Addy Gerbick, a sophomore studying political science and the vice president of Ohio University College Democrats, is supporting Sherrod Brown and hopes, if elected, he will focus on improving affordability for Ohioans. “(Democrats’) ability to help the economy and help working class people in these times where gas prices are extremely high, groceries are going up, inflation is still going up,” Gerbrick said. “I think that’s really important that they focus on that.” Husted is from Williams County and served in the Senate since January 2025, when Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to replace Vice President JD Vance after
he vacated the seat to run alongside President Donald Trump. Before he was appointed, Husted served in the Ohio House and later the Ohio Senate. He became Ohio’s secretary of state in 2011 and served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025. According to Husted’s campaign, he is pro-business and focused on building a strong economy. Greg Patton, an executive committee member of the Athens County Republican Party, shared his perspective on Husted’s campaign promises. “Husted is very founded in taking care of Ohio, working for the economy in Ohio, trying to cut our taxes like no tax on tips, no tax for seniors, that type of thing,” Patton said. “That’s right in line with fiscal responsibility of trying to keep money in Ohioans pockets.” Redpath is the former chairman of the Libertarian National Committee and ran for office eight times before. Redpath’s campaign calls for unilateral free trade by repealing all tariffs, according to his campaign website. He also promises to reduce federal spending and repeal laws on “victimless crimes,” such as online gambling and drug prohibition. Levy’s socialist platform focuses on building a new economy by turning corporations into public property and prioritizing the working class. Levy calls for a “total reorganization of power into the hands of the working class,” criticizing current politicians for their loyalty to billionaires. In seven polls published between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, data shows Brown leading Husted, with Brown at 48.9% and Husted at 44.9%. Patton hopes that whoever wins the election will put the state’s best interests at the forefront, rather than their party interests.
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“Gridlock is not good for anyone, but you have to meet in the middle, as we all know,” Patton said. “And we all need to work towards the betterment of Ohio and the betterment of our country.” - Greg Patton, executive committee member of the Athens County Republican Party BT037924@OHIO.EDU
Governor race remains close, Acton leads in polls KAITLIN HOGG CAMPUS & LOCAL STAFF WRITER It is election season again, and with two major statewide elections, Ohioans are bombarded with campaign ads, tours and speeches that are ramping up as Nov. 3 draws closer. One of the major elections on the ballot is the gubernatorial race. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has held office since 2019 but is term limited this year. Now, three candidates are fighting to take his place. Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton is from Youngstown, Ohio, and served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health under DeWine during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Acton’s running mate is David Pepper, the former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. Acton’s campaign website outlines the issues she is focused on, including improving education, cleaning up corruption, standing up for workers and reducing costs for families. “Everywhere I go in this state, I hear from folks who are working harder than ever but still can’t make ends meet,” Acton said in an email. “Ohio has put special interests and billionaires before working families in this state for far too long, leaving working Ohioans to foot the bill.” Acton’s name is in the news more recently after her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, and his team released a campaign advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother. In the ad, she called Acton a liar and insinuated she has mental health issues. Acton’s mother lost custody of Acton and her brother after their stepfather was indicted for raping Acton when she was 12 years old. Acton has not spoken to her mother since. Since the ad was released, Democrats and Republicans alike have condemned it and called for the Ramaswamy team to take it down. DeWine criticized the ad and agreed the Ramaswamy team should remove it, but he did not rescind his support for the Republican candidate. Addy Gerbick, a sophomore studying political science, is the vice president of
the Ohio University College Democrats. Gerbick said had the opportunity to meet and speak with Acton on two separate occasions. She said her support for Acton largely stems from how she handled the COVID-19 pandemic. “I also believe that a lot of what she plans to do for the Ohio economy is really important, and I think she is committed to working in a way that will help lower the cost of gas, groceries, child care and college education if that’s possible,” Gerbick said. Acton is endorsed by a number of unions and trade councils, as well as politicians, including former President Barack Obama and former Sen. Sherrod Brown. Ramaswamy is from Cincinnati, Ohio and is a billionaire pharmaceutical businessman who previously ran for president in 2024. His running mate in the election is Ohio Senate President Rob McColley. According to his campaign website, Ramaswamy plans to bring down costs, provide children with world-class education, lower taxes and reduce government waste. Ramaswamy was endorsed by prominent figures, such as President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, DeWine and late conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. Bryan Williams, chairman of the Summit County Republican Party, said he and others in the GOP are drawn to Ramaswamy because he is a young, smart and new-generation politician. “He just seemed like a bold reformer and would move big things in a big way,” Williams said. Williams said there are numerous policies he hopes Ramaswamy will enact if elected, including eliminating sanctuary cities, being strong against illegal immigration and lowering property taxes. Williams also said he feels Ramaswamy will follow through on his campaign promises by working effectively with legislators in the statehouse. He compared this to DeWine, who he said does not always support conservative legislation. Don Kissick is running in the
Photo provided by the Amy Acton campaign.
Photo provided by the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign.
48.7%
Polling information via FiftyPlusOne. Results as of Oct. 26, 2026
45.1% gubernatorial race as a Libertarian. His running mate, James Mills, said their party and policies lean socially liberal and fiscally conservative. “Individual liberty is really the entire premise,” Mills said. “Everyone knows the left and the right dichotomy. You have the Democrats, you have the Republicans, and we really take the best of both worlds with both of those philosophies, where we’re really just looking at the most amount of freedom possible. Kissick, who lives in Northwestern Ohio, wrote on his campaign website that every issue he and Mills approaches is done so with liberty, kindness, justice, common sense and integrity. The campaign website also says Mills and Kissick are aiming to appeal to the
40% of Ohioans who are “politically homeless” and to the 70% of Ohioans who are looking for more political options. Mills said he and Kissick would abolish property taxes if elected, but do so in a way that does not just push taxes into another arena. He said they would also “end the use of government-dictated flock cameras.” Recent polling puts Acton above Ramaswamy. A Marist Poll conducted Oct. 15 through Oct. 18 placed Acton at 50% and Ramaswamy at 43%. Kissick’s standing was not included in the poll. Additionally, the non-partisan Cook Political Report moved the race from “Toss Up” to “Lean Democrat” on Friday.
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Ohio holds first midterms under new congressional map The current congressional map in Ohio came from an unusual process, being drawn by the Ohio Redistricting Commission rather than the Ohio General Assembly.
LIV JACOBS REGIONAL & NATIONAL STAFF WRITER Ahead of this year’s midterm elections, the Ohio General Assembly was required to redraw the congressional district lines. The process took place last year and varied from the typical method because the General Assembly missed the initial deadline of Sept. 30. Congressional district lines, which define U.S. and Ohio legislative districts, are redrawn every 10 years following the U.S. Census to reflect population shifts. In 2015, Ohio adopted a constitutional amendment establishing the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The commission was tasked with redrawing state legislative districts. Then, in 2018, Ohio adopted another constitutional amendment giving the commission the power to redraw congressional districts if the General Assembly fails to do so with bipartisan support. That amendment, Article 19 of the Ohio Constitution, says for a new congressional map to be adopted, it must be approved by three-fifths of each chamber of the legislature. The map must also be approved by at least half of the members of the two major political parties in the chambers and completed by Sept. 30. The congressional map for Ohio, adopted in 2022, passed with support
from only the Republican Party. Thus, it was only allowed to be used for a shorter term of four years. In 2025, the General Assembly failed to pass a map by the deadline, and the power shifted to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, which unanimously passed one that was adopted Oct. 31, 2025. It will be in place until 2031. Democrats across the state have raised concerns that the current map was gerrymandered, the concept of dividing or arranging election districts in a way that favors one political party over another. The map previously passed in 2022 upheld 10 Republican districts, three Democratic districts and two that were competitive, according to the Statehouse News Bureau. However, the new map passed last year moves two Democratic districts further right, and one district further left. That gives Republicans an edge in 12 of Ohio’s 15 districts. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, represents the 9th District, which the map switched to “lean Republican,” according to The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. Kaptur’s seat is one Republicans are hoping to flip, replacing her with Republican Derek Merrin. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report classifies the race as a “toss-up.” The other district that shifted more to the right is Ohio’s 1st District, where
4 / THE POST | ELECTION 2026 SPECIAL SECTION | OCT. 27, 2026
Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman is facing off against Republican Eric Conroy. However, the Cook Political Report classifies the race as “likely Democrat.” The last district impacted by the redistricting is the 13th district, which went from a “toss-up” district to “leans Democrat,” according to the Center for Politics. Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes is expected to keep her seat, as the Cook Political Report defines the race as “likely Democrat”. Collin Marozzi, advocacy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, said gerrymandering is an issue Ohio has struggled with for years, but it has recently worsened. “Attempts at reforming our redistricting process have largely failed, unfortunately,” Marozzi said. “Through no fault of voting rights advocates and people that want to see fairness in the map drawing process. But there were just holes in that, and those holes were exploited.” Marozzi said the map represents the lengths to which those in power will go to stay in power. He called the process of gerrymandering a “poison for democracy.” “It is a usurpation of the voters’ power, and their right to choose who are their representatives,” Marozzi said. “Voters should choose their politicians, and right now, in Ohio, politicians pick their voters.” Marozzi thinks voters may not be fairly
represented. He said in larger districts, such as District 2, which houses Athens County, it is harder for citizens and politicians to forge connections. “It really impacts our representative democracy from A to Z,” Marozzi said. “From the ballot box to town halls, to, you know, meeting with your members, so it really impacts all of it” Dr. Kevin Spiker, associate professor of political science, believes redistricting has become more partisan. “I believe it has taken a certainly greater partisan turn,” Spiker said. “Given the fact that we’ve moved away from the typical cycle of redistricting.” Spiker said the current map is representative of the Republican Party’s desires; there are other, more significant influences on this year’s election cycle. Those forces include the state of the economy, President Donald Trump’s unpopularity and the ongoing war with Iran. According to Spiker, Ohio has shifted from a swing state to reliably Republican, a trend he said is visible in areas from Mahoning County down the Ohio River to Marietta. “Those counties in particular, twenty years ago, were very solidly Democrat,” Spiker said. “They have completely transformed. Those counties have completely transformed from solidly Democrat to solidly Republican, and that, in part, explains the shift in Ohio.”
LJ934424@OHIO.EDU
Ohio voters to decide on State Issue 3 CAMBRIA GULLETT FOR THE POST Ohio voters will decide on State Issue 3 this November, a proposed amendment that would permanently embed the requirement of voter photo identification into the state’s Constitution. Under Ohio House Bill 458, which went into effect in April 2023, voter photo ID is already required. The bill also includes a measure that safeguards the ability for Ohio residents age 17 and older to obtain a free ID they can use to vote. Though Issue 3 is similar to HB 458, it does not contain that measure. Collin Marozzi, the advocacy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, said that could pose a threat to Ohio elections in the future. “Issue 3 contains all the restrictions without the safeguards,” Marozzi said. “So, that’s number one.” Issue 3, if passed, would also restrict approved voter photo IDs to five forms: an unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. military ID card, an Ohio National Guard ID card or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card. Marozzi said limiting voter ID to just those forms would make it hard for voting to adapt to changing technology. “So, in an age of rapidly developing technology, you know, the confines of the Constitution, you know, could potentially make updating the list of compliant IDs very difficult when we have no idea what shape or form new IDs could take in the relative short future,” Marozzi said. Voter ID has been a controversial subject in recent years as President Donald Trump has pushed to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility America Act, or the SAVE America Act, which would require photo ID to vote in any election nationwide and restrict mail-in voting. The bill is currently stalled in the House of Representatives because of opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. Nonetheless, both Democratic Dr.
Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, the two major candidates in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, support Issue 3. However, Lauren Dikis, the Athens County Democratic Party chair, said Ohio does not need Issue 3. “Ohio’s elections are already safe and secure,” Dikis said in an email. “This is another Republican effort to make it more difficult for people to vote.” Supporters of Issue 3 argue that embedding the requirement into the state constitution maintains election integrity. Kevin Ritter, state representative for the 94th district, said in an email that research has shown voter ID is popular among voters. “I support Issue 3 which adds the existing Voter ID law to the Ohio Constitution where it is harder for a future administration to repeal,” Ritter said in an email. “The Pew Research Center’s August 2025 survey found that both Democrats (71%) and Republicans (95%) support voter ID.” Greg Patton, an executive committee member with the Athens County Republican Party, echoed Ritter’s perspective, framing the amendment as a tool for long-term election transparency. “We’ve had some very close elections in Ohio and actually in Athens County,” Patton said. “And so it’s critical that every vote that is legal counts, and all that does is ensure with the state constitution that it’s available and that there’s regulations on the books.” Patton said that providing identification is necessary to do many things, such as board a flight or go to a bank, and people do not think anything of it.
THE MOST VILEST POLITICAL AD IN OHIO HISTORY Vivek Ramaswamy has released a political ad in which the biological mother of Dr. Amy Acton says that Amy Acton has lied about her childhood. The woman tells Ohioans not to “let her become your governor.” Vivek Ramaswamy and Dr. Amy Acton are candidates to become Ohio’s next governor. The second husband — Cledith Arthur — of Amy Acton’s biological mother raped Amy Acton when she was a child. A grand jury indicted the woman’s second husband for raping Acton, and Amy Acton and her brother were removed from their biological mother’s custody. Amy Acton, who is now 60 years old, has not seen her biological mother since she was 12 years old. Amy Acton’s biological mother stayed loyal to Cledith Arthur, who fled and died before being tried. Amy Acton’s brother said in a National Review article by Charles Hilu, “After he was arrested and Amy and I were removed from their custody, our birth mother stayed married to Amy’s rapist until he died. This desperate, disgusting attack [ad] reveals exactly who Vivek Ramaswamy is at his core — a pathetic excuse for a man who is willing to hurt anyone as long as it gets him what he wants.” Amy Acton’s brother also stated, “I received a lot of abuse, but Amy always got the worst of it. She continued to receive that abuse because she knew she had to protect me.” An article by Paul Cuno-Booth at FactCheck.org stated, “As for [Amy] Acton’s description of living in a tent at one point, her campaign pointed to a 1982 police report documenting an interview with an Ohio campground manager who said Cledith Arthur had lived there some years earlier. Arrest paperwork from 1978 also lists that campground as Arthur’s address.” Amy Acton told Spectrum News about Vivek Ramaswamy, “I won’t normalize somebody who has said my childhood is just something I’m complaining about, who today [19 or 20 October] just released an ad using my birth mother, who I was removed from at the age of 12 for severe abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse.”
Under current Ohio law, students can not use their student ID to vote. Patton said when he has worked with Ohio University students, they have not had issues providing an ID to vote and that voting is very accessible in Ohio.
SOURCES:
Marozzi said the ACLU is using the time before Nov. 3 to educate voters
Laura Johnston, cleveland.com, Oct. 21, 2026.
Charles Hilu, National Review, Oct. 20, 2026. Today in Ohio, cleveland.com, Oct. 21, 2026. Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American, Oct. 21, 2026. Paul Cuno-Booth, FactCheck.org, Oct. 21, 2026.
@CAMBRIAAG CG286625@OHIO.EDU
Julie Carr Smyth, The Associated Press, Oct. 20, 2026. David Bruce paid for this ad
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Levies on Athens County ballots
AUDREY FUSILLO FOR THE POST
Residents of Athens County and its 14 townships can vote for or against a number of tax levies this November. According to the Athens County Board of Elections, there are 23 property tax levies and two income tax levies county-wide.
Health Department Levy: Athens County (Issue 7) Issue 7 is for the maintenance and operation of the Athens City-County Health Department. The levy, if passed, would last 10 years and add $35 in property taxes per $100,000 of a property’s market value.
Through the levy, the Health Department would collect approximately $1.52 million annually. Jack Pepper, the administrator of Athens City-County Health Department, said the levy is necessary to run the health department because a majority of their funds come from the local taxation. Pepper said the money collected through levies, referred to as general funds, goes toward programs such as tick and mosquito safety, vaccines and birth, and free clinics. “We just hosted a large-scale free clinic event in August,” Pepper said. “We served over 500 people, over 3,000 procedures and it was all free to the public. And so activities like that are heavily supported by these local dollars.” Pepper said if Issue 7 passes, the Health Department would no longer need to
6 / THE POST | ELECTION 2026 SPECIAL SECTION | OCT. 27, 2026
collect tax dollars through the three levies currently funding the department, meaning the levy on the ballot would replace those existing levies. According to Jill Davidson, the Athens County auditor, the department is using Issue 7 to get around the Ohio law which abolished replacement levies. “What the health commissioner or the health department is wanting to do is, if this levy passes, then they’re going to ask us to stop collecting (the three current levies),” Davidson said. “So they’re, in essence, doing a replacement without the replacement language.” If passed, the levy would go into effect in 2027. School District Levies: Alexander Township (Issue 1), Athens County (Issue 2) Issue 1 would add an annual earned income tax, which only applies to residents who are employed, of 0.75% for five years to those residing in the Alexander Local School District, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Issue 2 is a renewal of an annual 1% earned income tax for Athens City School District. Chad Springer, the superintendent of Athens City School District, said the levy, which first passed in 2006, accounts for nearly 14% of their yearly revenue, roughly $5.5 million annually. Though the levy remained intact for 20 years, Springer said the school has recently been more dependent on local funding because funding from the state has decreased. “So out of 100% of our funding that we get, 63.41% is locally funded,” Springer said. “State revenue, so this is the state school funding, is 31.90%, and other revenue, which is grants and programs, are about 4.69%.” Davidson said public school funding accounts for over half of people’s tax bills, sometimes up to 70%, depending on the area. “The other part of that is, while the state will say we have increased our funding to schools year over year, the percent of the total funding cost for schools, the state has actually been paying a smaller share year over year,” Davidson said. “Which means they’re pushing more onto the property taxpayer.” Construction Levies: Carthage (Issue 20), Dover (Issue 22) and Troy (Issue 27) Townships Issues 20, 22 and 27 aim to fund construction and road maintenance for five years in their respective townships. In Carthage, property owners would
pay $105 in property taxes per $100,000 of a property’s market value annually, adding up to about $121,111 annually. In Troy, the levy would charge $70 in property taxes per $100,000 of a property’s market value annually, excluding Coolville Village. Issue 22 would renew Dover’s current construction levy, amounting to $59 in property tax per $100,000 of a property’s market value annually. If passed, Issue 27 would begin in 2027, and Issues 20 and 22 would go into effect in 2028. Cemetery Levies: Canaan (Issue 19), Carthage (Issue 21), Troy (Issue 28) and York (Issue 29) Townships Issues 21 and 29 would fund five years of cemetery operations. Carthage would collect $21 per $100,000 of a property’s market value annually, while York would collect $35. Renewal levies 19 and 28 would continue funding cemeteries for five years beginning in 2028. Canaan would collect $15 per $100,000 in property value annually, and Troy would collect $26. Expense Levies: Amesville (Issue 10), Buchtel (Issue 11), Chauncey (Issue 12) and Jacksonville (Issue 14) Villages Issue 10 and renewal levies 11, 12 and 14 cover village expenses. Amesville would collect $54 per $100,000 of property value annually, while Buchtel collects $175, Chauncey $128 and Jacksonville $144 per $100,000 of property value annually. Fire Levies: Jacksonville Village (Issue 13) and Alexander (Issue 15), Ames (Issue 16), Canaan (Issue 18), Lee (Issues 23, 24) and Lodi (Issue 25) Townships All of the above are renewal levies which would fund fire protection equipment and services for five years. Most levies would cost property owners between $10-35 per $100,000 of property value annually, but Jacksonville would collect $134. Police Levy: Amesville Village (Issue 9) Issue 9 would renew the levy to fund the police department for five years, collecting $54 per $100,000 of property value annually, which would begin in 2028. Street Maintenance Levies: Albany Village (Issue 8), Ames (Issue 17) and Rome (Issue 26) Townships Issue 8 and renewal levies 17 and 26 would fund road maintenance for five years in their respective counties. Albany would collect $105 per each $100,000 of property value, while Ames collects $54 and Rome $174.
Sarah Smith, Autumn Brown vie for Athens County Commissioner ELIZABETH TALAGA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Democratic candidate Autumn Brown and Republican candidate Sarah Smith are on the ballot to succeed Democrat Lenny Eliason, the current Athens County commissioner. The Athens County Board of Commissioners is made up of three elected officials tasked with leading workforce development, protecting the environment and delivering human services from the government. For both Brown and Smith, their journeys to county commissioner started differently. Brown was born in Mansfield and moved to Athens County when she was 12. She has spent almost 30 years with the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where she began teaching adults with disabilities and later became the life skills coordinator. “In my career, I had the privilege not only of teaching adults with disabilities, but I was able to be the life skills coordinator for the county, creating curriculum and educational experiences for any of the adults and students that we served in Athens County,” Brown said. According to Brown, a 2015 federal mandate removed all county boards of developmental disabilities’ permission to run their own adult education centers. Brown was asked to lead the threeyear transition process, during which she included residents in the transition, held stakeholder meetings and helped employees move to other jobs or opportunities. Brown said that is where she employed her strategic planning skills to unite the Athens community. “I’m excited to bring that advocacy voice to the table for all of Athens County,” Brown said. “The county commissioners can use their position as a platform to really network with our Appalachian region, the state of Ohio and then the nation to perhaps
Democratic candidate for Athens county commissioner Autumn Brown, left, Sept. 29, 2026 in Athens, and Republican candidate for Athens county commissioner Sarah Smith, right, Sept. 29, 2026 in Athens. (ETHAN HERX | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
bring better economic development, improve our social services.” Alternatively, Smith was born and raised in Athens County, and currently lives on a beef cattle farm in Albany with her husband and three children. Smith also owns the Lodi General Store in Shade, and currently works in human resources at Ohio University. “Athens County is just very authentically itself,” Smith said. “It doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not, and that’s what I just really, really like about Athens.” Smith said the skills that come with owning a small business and farm, such as making financial decisions and establishing connections, would serve her well in the county commissioner role. “We’ve been under, you know, the same party in control in the commissioner’s office for quite some time now,” Smith said. “I just think we’re headed in the wrong direction financially.” Both Smith and Brown campaigned throughout election season, making
stops all over the county. “I’ve met a lot of awesome people, heard a lot of things that I never would have thought of on my own from people, just made some great connections and really just put myself out there,” Smith said. “And it’s made me better as far as public speaking and approaching people and having those tough discussions.”
“And I don’t have to be a ‘yes’ person in the courthouse. I can ask those tough questions. I can shake a few things up because I don’t have anybody that I have to please and play the political game with.”
Brown said she enjoyed talking to people and hearing different ideas.
“I know I will be the community leader that guides us forward with the other two commissioners, but it’s going to take everyone in Athens County to make these things happen,” Brown said.
“People are excited to throw their ideas out there, and I’ve also heard a lot of people who are feeling like there is little to no hope for us to reduce our poverty numbers in Athens or bring good jobs,” Brown said. “And I think we really have to do some creative new things and pull people together.” Smith has centered her campaign around transparency, holding people accountable and giving residents the chance to share their thoughts on decisions that affect them. “My goal heading into Election Day is just making sure people know who I am, what I stand for, that you know I want to be a person to represent the people, not the party,” Smith said.
Brown is looking to address housing accessibility in the county, as well as local infrastructure issues.
Eliason, who has served as a county commissioner since 1998, received an annual salary of $71,096, according to the 2023-24 Ohio Secretary of State official officer roster, the most current data available. Whoever wins would serve alongside Commissioners Charlie Adkins and Chris Chmiel. Eliason’s term ends Dec. 31, and the incoming commissioner begins Jan. 1, 2027. ET029322@OHIO.EDU THE POSTATHENS.COM / 7
Understanding voting process, ballot
The Athens County Board of Elections at 15 S. Court Street in Athens, Oct. 21, 2026. (DASH HAGGERTY | FOR THE POST) ZOE WEYAND LOCAL & CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
The midterms are here, and Ohio is hosting several contentious races. Absentee and early voting began Oct. 6 at select locations across the state. Election Day is Nov. 3, and polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots are also available, but a person’s local Board of Elections must receive a mail-in ballot before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day for it to be counted. Voting rules and regulations can be complicated, so this is a quick guide to understanding Ohio’s voting process. Avoid a provisional ballot A provisional ballot is a ballot voters fill out if they cannot provide the correct identification or proof of eligibility. For a provisional ballot to be counted, a voter must fill out
a Provisional Ballot Affirmation Statement with their name, signature, date of birth, current address and an acceptable ID. The Board of Elections evaluates and votes on whether the voter met the requirements for the ballot to be counted A person can get a provisional ballot for a number of reasons, including the use of an expired identification card, having an out-of-date registration or not registering to vote at all. Voters can avoid getting a provisional ballot by ensuring their ID and voter registration are up-to-date and have the correct name and address on them. Do not commit voter fraud If a voter sends in or requests an absentee ballot, they should not
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participate in in-person early voting or vote on election day. Whether accidental or purposeful, if a voter votes twice, they can be convicted of voter fraud, a felony of the fifth degree. Out-of-state students can still vote in Athens Ohio college students can vote in Ohio with their student housing address, even if their home address is out of state. Out-of-state students must only be registered in Ohio and can use their U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. military ID, an Ohio National Guard ID or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID to vote. It is not recommended for out-ofstate students to change their state ID or driver’s license to an Ohio one, as
it can affect out-of-state financial aid scholarships. Once students change their ID to Ohio, they are an Ohio resident and can no longer receive those scholarships. Right location, right time Voters should ensure they are at the correct precinct and polling location based on the address they registered with. Anyone who shows up to the incorrect polling location will be directed to the correct location and will not be given a provisional ballot. To check their polling location, voters can enter their information on the Ohio Secretary of State website.
ZW211923@OHIO.EDU
Political ads heat up Ohio races FINN SMITH REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS EDITOR
With two extremely competitive elections on the ballot, Ohioans have spent over a year engulfed in a flurry of campaigning. All four major candidates for the gubernatorial and Senate races have been tirelessly promoting themselves and attacking their opponents. The hotly contested Senate race is between Republican incumbent Sen. Jon Husted and Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown. Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton is fighting to flip the governorship blue as she faces Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. As a competitive battleground state this Midterm season, Ohio has seen large amounts of campaign investment and spending. Kelly Bresett, a resident of Perry County and a registered Democrat, said canvassers have shown up at her house, she has received mailers and seen a lot of the negative advertisements. Dr. Kevin Spiker, associate professor of political science, said there is a difference between negative ads that attack policy versus personal life. Spiker said some of the most effective campaign ads he has seen in Ohio’s races are the ones Brown is running against Husted regarding data centers. “While I think there are people who think that data centers are a good thing, necessary, they’re tools for economic development and so on and so forth,” Spiker said. “I don’t know anybody who wants to live next to one. So I think you know those are ads more focused on policy.” Throughout his campaign, Brown attacked Husted for his support of data centers, his vote to block the release of the Epstein files and his alleged involvement in the FirstEnergy bribery scandal. Husted recently introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act in the Senate, which passed with bipartisan support in the House, and would stop Americans from paying energy infrastructure bills
related to data centers. On the contrary, the Husted campaign has run numerous ads with a woman who alleges Brown supports sex changes for minors, such as herself. However, the woman who speaks in the ad was discovered to not be from Ohio and did not have a surgery until she was an adult. On the gubernatorial side, Ramaswamy’s team released an ad recently featuring Acton’s estranged mother, which struck national news. Donna Arthur, Acton’s mother, spoke during the ad, telling viewers her daughter cannot be trusted. “It’s not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy has a serious problem,” Arthur said. “She’s a liar. She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true. She has lied her entire life. My daughter needs help, and she can’t help you if she needs help herself.” Arthur’s late husband, Acton’s stepfather, sexually abused her when she was a young girl. Acton and her brother were removed from Arthur’s custody after her husband was indicted for rape charges. Arthur remained married to him until he died in 2004. Spiker said he is not sure if the ad was an October surprise, a significant scandal or revelation that comes out the month prior to an election aiming to influence public opinion on a candidate. However, he did say the timing of the ad was “calculated.” “I cannot imagine that they would not have let a focus group or several focus groups view this ad prior to putting it out,” Spiker said. “I cannot imagine that they would have just went out and just produced this ad and put it out there without thoroughly vetting and thinking through what the impact would be.” The ad immediately received criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike. Gov. Mike DeWine even condemned the ad and encouraged Ramaswamy’s team to remove it. Alternatively, Trump and Vance backed Ramaswamy, as he plans to spend $4 million to air the ad on television and online, according to the Associated Press.
A political sign promoting Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate and Amy Action for Ohio Governor on East State Street in Athens Oct. 23, 2026. (RIVER DEEM | FOR THE POST)
Bresett said she thinks the negative nature of recent ads can be traced back to Trump’s rhetoric. “I’ve voted Republican,” Bresett said. “I’ve always kind of voted a split ticket until Trump. And honest to God, I think that’s where it comes from. The way he talks, everybody’s picking up on this, and the different rallies and stuff, people getting beat up. I don’t understand. It looks like the whole society crashed.” Spiker said negative advertisements are nothing new to politics, pointing to examples going back centuries. He discussed the well-known “Daisy Girl” ad that President Lyndon B. Johnson ran against his opponent Barry Goldwater, which featured a young girl picking daisies before cutting to the explosion of an atomic bomb. However, Spiker said he cannot recall an ad that has received the level of bipartisan criticism the Ramaswamy one did, and recent activity shows the Republicans might be concerned about the outcome of both elections in Ohio. “I always say in elections, follow the resources … that’ll tell you where campaigns, candidates, political parties think they stand,” Spiker said. “I think, judging based upon where the heavy hitters, so to speak, have been going, that the Republicans think maybe they’re in a little bit of trouble in Ohio.” Both teams are bringing out their respective pinch hitters as election day draws near. Trump and Vice President
JD Vance have attended multiple rallies in the state, and Trump plans to come to Chillicothe on Wednesday. President Barack Obama stopped in Cleveland on Saturday to campaign alongside Acton and Brown. Spiker said attack ads have been shown to have little effect on voting, but the research is murky. He likened attack ads to a car crash, in that they grab people’s attention. “That’s kind of what you have here with attack ads,” Spiker said. “Negative ads get attention, and the research supports that … the research does not establish, as a general rule, however, that negative advertisements reliably win elections.” Bresett said the ads have not changed her mind on voting for Acton and Brown. However, she is concerned the recent ads will sway people’s votes for Ramaswamy and Husted. “It has made me very fearful that Vivek Ramaswamy will win,” Bresett said. “Only because these ads show that these are horrible people, and I really don’t want horrible people running the state my kids live in. I don’t think there’s anything good and decent about that Amy Acton ad.”
@FINNSMITH06 FS227223@OHIO.EDU THE POSTATHENS.COM / 9
Prediction markets flood Ohio elections JOSELYN DUFF FOR THE POST Prediction markets grew rapidly in recent years, as millions of dollars were poured into the highly contested Ohio governor and senate races. Some people are concerned about the implications of large-scale election betting, while others believe it does not have an impact on the outcome. So far this year, $133 million was bet on congressional races in the midterm elections nationwide across 7,466 prediction markets, according to the Anti-Corruption Data Collective. Between Kalshi and Polymarket, the amount of money bet on the Ohio gubernatorial race combined is over $5 million, and the Senate race combined is over $10 million. According to the Roosevelt Institute, a progressive think tank, prediction markets and traditional gambling are similar, but prediction markets are not regulated as heavily. In September, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in KalshiEX v. Schuler that both Ohio and Tennessee retain the power to enforce gambling laws over Kalshi’s sporting events contracts. The case came after both state governments claimed Kalshi was violating their laws by operating without the proper licenses and allowing underage users to participate. Andromeda Morrison, interim executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, discussed the case’s outcome. “It's not a decision that applies to all the different types of prediction markets or all the different types of event contracts,” Morrison said. “It really was limited in scope to those event contracts that are sporting related.” That means the OCCC cannot regulate election betting. Morrison said the OCCC is working to regulate prediction platforms within its legal standing. “I can tell you the commission won't sit idly by while we know that companies are actively violating Ohio law,” Morrison said.
Ohio Democratic Sen. Bill DeMora of the 25th district introduced Senate Bill 479, which would ban all forms of election betting on all levels in the state. The bill was introduced in the Senate, but has not yet moved to committee. DeMora argues allowing election wagering can impact whether people see elections as “free, fair, legitimate and truthful.” “I don't want anything else getting in the way of people's thoughts on our elections,” DeMora said. “And again, this just erodes their confidence. You shouldn't be profiting on the outcome of elections.” DeMora said politicians should not be able to participate in election markets, including himself. He does not believe this is a partisan issue, but sees it as protecting the legitimacy of elections. DeMora said small-scale elections are also vulnerable. “You can gamble on any election, and gambling on a city council election or a school board election, where $1,000 can make a difference, again, it just erodes trust, and it's something we shouldn’t be able to do,” DeMora said. Koleman Strumpf, a professor of economics at Wake Forest University, holds a different stance on prediction markets. He defines the markets as platforms that allow people with varying opinions about future events to make transactions and bets on them. According to Strumpf, prediction markets can help non-traders understand what “well-motivated, smart people” think the outcome of elections will be. Strumpf said he is not concerned with people meddling in prediction markets to win votes, as betting on elections has existed for centuries with no evidence of meddling occurring. “And if that issue that I mentioned was the case, I should be able to go to the historical record and point out some examples of people meddling in elections to win bets, and we don't really have them; they aren't really there,” Strumpf said. Strumpf also said the argument made against prediction markets can be made
10 / THE POST | ELECTION 2026 SPECIAL SECTION | OCT. 27, 2026
toward election polling. “All the kind of mystery and intrigue that people seem to often associate with political prediction markets, seemingly are much bigger an issue with polls,” Strumpf said. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonprofit law and policy
“
institute, fabricated or biased polls are becoming more common in recent elections, creating a warped perception of certain candidates’ popularity. At the same time, doubt in legitimate polls is growing, which can erode the public’s trust in election results.
“Most of the arguments that people make about the dangers of prediction markets, you could literally just say the same argument applies to polls, and I don’t ever see people complain about polls,” Strumpf said. “So, if you think this is a problem with markets, you probably should also think this is an issue with polls, and you might want to pay attention to polls as well.” - Koleman Strumpf, Professor of economics at Wake Forest University JD637225@OHIO.EDU
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
• •
The last day for early in-person voting in Ohio is Nov. 1. You can vote early in-person at the Athens County Board of Elections, 15 S. Court St. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Make sure to arrive at your polling location early.
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JOSELYN DUFF FOR THE POST
Duff’s Had Enough: You cannot buy my vote
As Ohioans head to the polls this midterm season, the importance of democracy becomes especially clear. The ability to pick a candidate to make decisions that represent the issues and policies voters support is the most sacred right they have. Citizens are not really choosing a representative that has their best interest in mind when they cast their ballot. Instead, it is wealthy donors, corporations and lobbying groups that pick for them. Unregulated campaign finance drives this issue and elevates corruption in politics. It is vital for voters to pay attention to where politicians are receiving campaign funding and advocate for fair, transparent elections.
In this year’s midterms, collectively, U.S. Senate and House candidates have spent around $2.86 billion on campaigns. That unprecedented amount of money represents the exact opposite of what American elections claim to be. In a national survey on corruption and democracy, 91% of Americans say “corruption in government” is a serious problem. When asked if a candidate for Congress supported a policy to ban corporate political action committees from giving to campaigns, 36% said they would be much more likely to vote for them, and 28% said they would be somewhat more likely. Efforts to regulate campaign finance were made over 20 years ago with the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which attempted to implement controls on unregulated spending in elections. Sponsored by Sens. John McCain and Russ Feingold, the law took effect in November 2002 and was designed to address two points: soft money and issue advocacy ads. The act limited raising or spending unchecked soft money donations from corporations, unions and wealthy donors. Soft money is defined as unregulated
OHIO’S FUTURE IS ON THE BALLOT DR. AMY ACTON is running to become Ohio Governor. https://actonforgovernor.com
SHERROD BROWN
is running to become Ohio Senator. https://www.sherrodbrown.com Amy Leigh Acton (born February 16, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio) is a USAmerican physician and researcher who is running to become Ohio governor. MAGA and many Republican politicians are antiscience, but scientists have done an enormous amount of good in the world. We need politicians who understand real science and reject pseudo-science. Sherrod lives in Columbus with his wife Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author. Sherrod and Connie drive Jeeps made by union workers in Toledo, and are blessed with a growing family, including three daughters, a son, eight grandchildren, and their beloved rescue dogs, Franklin and Walter. David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.
funds perceived to influence elections, uncontrolled by campaign finance law. BCRA regulated issue advocacy ads, defined as broadcast, cable or satellite advertisements that name a political issue and federal candidate before an election. Prior to the act, an ad could tell elected officials and candidates which policies to support or oppose. Before, it was easy for large organizations to buy elections. BCRA helped to prevent this and restored public trust in democracy, making sure campaigns rely on small, regulated forms of individual donations, referred to as hard money. After it passed, there were concerns about free speech, and advocacy groups argued restricting political donations and issue advocacy ads violated the First Amendment. The provisions made in BCRA were ultimately struck down by the landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in 2010 on First Amendment grounds. That U.S. Supreme Court decision ended in deregulation of corporate and union issue ad spending. It treated any corporation as if it were a person and stated political speech does not lose its
protection under the First Amendment when the speaker is an association of individuals rather than a single person. This dangerous assertion protected the ability for wealthy donors to influence elections greatly. A symptom of unregulated campaign finance is a shrinking pool of potential candidates who cannot afford to keep up with nonstop funding. The cost of running in an election creates steep barriers for qualified candidates who lack access to wealthy donors. That could result in citizens electing politicians who are not qualified for the job and received the position only because they could afford it. Once elected in a landscape of unregulated campaign money, fundraising becomes a way of life for politicians. Time is taken away from policymaking, and attention is shifted to how to garner enough funds to win the election. It’s important to advocate for limiting or prohibiting corporations from influencing elections, and to increase transparency among candidates about where their donations come from. JD637225@OHIO.EDU
TRANSITION SOLDIERS BACK HOME
We ask young men and women to serve in uniform, to move across the country or across the world on orders, to miss birthdays and funerals, to carry responsibility most civilians will never experience. Then too often we hand them a checklist on the way out and wish them luck. That is not a serious transition plan. Coming home is not just about a DD-214. It is about translating skills into civilian jobs, making sure mental health care is accessible without stigma, helping families adjust, and preventing veterans from falling into homelessness or isolation. A logistics chief, a medic, a weather forecaster, an aviation tech - those skills have real value in the private sector, but the pathway needs to be clear and supported. We should expand apprenticeship pipelines, partner with employers who understand military experience, and fully fund the VA so care is timely and competent. Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position on this but many and progressive people need a place to live that does not feel likeissue, the Sword of centrist Damocles. politicians hold similar positions.
CONFIRM YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION: www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration • Click: VISIT CAN I VOTE and select “voter registration status.” • CHOOSE YOUR STATE. You will be taken to a page on your state’s election website. • Check to see if you are registered.
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3RD
**Confirm where you’re registered to vote! Is it your campus address or your permanent home address? Take a few minutes to check your registration, confirm your polling location and understand your voting options before heading to the polls.
THE POSTATHENS.COM / 11
AIDEN RYAN OPINION EDITOR
Aiden’s Add On: Senate turns Southeast for success
All eyes are on Ohio this midterm cycle, but they are not looking in the right direction. Instead, we must look to Southeast Ohio for critical indicators about how rural voters are responding to economic challenges under the Trump administration. The true north of this election is along the state’s Southern borders, whose voting patterns open the possibility for an Ohio battleground. 2018 United States midterm election To understand Ohio as a “battleground” state, we have to go back to 2018. Specifically, we have to look along the Southeastern Ohio border to understand how certain election results were predictive of thenU.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s victory. Take Belmont County, for example. The eastern end of the county lies across the Ohio River from Wheeling, West Virginia. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the relatively rural county boasts a population of around 64,000 people. Its population is steadily decreasing. During the 2018 midterm election cycle, former U.S. Representative Jim Renacci narrowly carried the county by less than 2,000 votes against Brown. Despite being two years into the Trump administration, Brown made inroads among the state’s rural Appalachian towns that boosted his chances for success statewide. 2020 U.S. General Election Two years later, the votes shifted. Former President Joe Biden lost big on the ballot in Belmont County, with 9,138 votes to President Donald Trump’s 23,560 votes. This was an incredibly large shift from the previous midterm election. Despite a historically challenging year for global and national politics, the Democrats simply could not get enough leverage. Brown’s vote share in 2018 over Biden’s is not a coincidence, especially when we think about the importance of local appeal among rural towns. Although Biden was born in neighboring Pennsylvania, there clearly was not enough of an appeal to win voters who were comfortable voting for Brown just two years prior. 2024 U.S. general election The 2024 U.S. election saw new Midwestern populists, people who generally propose some institutional change against an “elite” group of people, who positioned themselves as fighters against Trump’s economic policies. Brown was one of them. We have to remember Senate majorities hinge on certain, more moderate-leaning candidates earning votes in areas geographically divided between rural and urban interests. Whether majorities are formed
by Republicans or Democrats, rural voters are not the sacrifice to siphon off votes elsewhere. They must be the priority. Take another look at Belmont County in this election. Brown’s numbers stayed nearly the same from the 2020 election. Brown lost Belmont County to then-U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, 9,476 to 20,146 votes. Despite Brown’s loss, he remained staunchly divorced from his party throughout the campaign season. With a growing rejection of East-coast elitism in 2024, Brown’s politics stayed put in Ohio. This separation between state and national politics used an old playbook to create new strategies in a state that seems out of reach for many Midwestern liberals. Yet, we must ask ourselves whether these campaigns throw a ball at a brick wall or whether someone is on the other end to catch it. We must see if any persuadable voter is listening. That is where our Southeastern Ohio counties come into play. Along this Appalachian curve of the state, there are towns whose residents are increasingly concerned with the Trump economy. After all, the Pew Research Center reports that 84% of Americans believe the economy is the most important item driving their vote this election season. People’s pockets are hurting more than their political beliefs. The only question is whether this extends among small towns, local districts and into the polling booth for Midwestern populists. Yet, despite some recent shifts, Ohio has not forgotten its beloved bellwether status. Ohio is not divorced from its battleground status. Instead, we ignore the reality that Democrats cannot win in this state if they do not increase their margins among voters in Southeast Ohio. This is what makes a ruby red state a battleground; it makes a nation reconsider its priorities. Although polls go up and down, the only curve we should follow is the collection of counties that separate us from West Virginia and Kentucky. Voters along this line will show us early on election night who they want to see in this state’s U.S. Senate seat. So goes Southeast Ohio, so goes the nation. Now is the time to look and listen. Aiden is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Aiden about his column? Email him at ar260223@ohio.edu.
12 / THE POST | ELECTION 2026 SPECIAL SECTION | OCT. 27, 2026
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Adam’s Anecdote: The President who cried voter fraud ADAM GERBER FOR THE POST
Once upon a time, there was a president who cried voter fraud so relentlessly that on Jan. 6, 2021, thousands of Americans stormed the U.S. Capitol. The wolf in question was none other than his own vice president, Mike Pence. Amid his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, President Donald Trump advised Pence to reject certified electoral votes. Defying Trump’s demands, Pence explained his lack of constitutional authority in a letter to Congress, writing, “Vesting the Vice President with unilateral authority to decide presidential contests would be entirely antithetical to that design.” Shortly after, at 2:13 p.m., the first rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol. Eleven minutes later, Trump said on Twitter, "Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!” After nearly two hours, Trump released a video urging rioters to return home peacefully. Regardless of the disruption, Congress continued to count electoral votes and declared former President Joe Biden’s victory early the next morning. Since 2021, Trump has claimed some form of voter fraud in every major U.S. election cycle. In 2022, Trump accused states such as Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania of voter fraud on Truth Social. In one post, Trump asserted, “The Absentee Ballot situation in Detroit is REALLY BAD. People are showing up to Vote only to be told, ‘sorry, you have already voted.’ This is happening in large numbers, elsewhere as well. Protest, Protest, Protest!” Unlike in 2021, Trump’s cries for protest failed to draw crowds. His repeated claims of voter fraud appeared to be losing influence over his supporters. In 2024, Trump made similar remarks regarding Philadelphia. On Truth Social, Trump said, “A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia. Law Enforcement coming!!!” In response, Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein said in a written statement on X, “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation. It is yet another
example of disinformation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure.” Trump went on to win the 2024 presidential election; however, his accusations against Philadelphia appeared to be forgotten when he later celebrated his Pennsylvania victory. On Oct. 8, during a tele-rally, Trump said, “Pennsylvania's really been great to me. You know, I won Pennsylvania big, very big last time. Everyone said, you don't win Pennsylvania. We won it very, very big. We won everything.” These contradictions make it difficult to take Trump’s claims of voter fraud seriously. Trump fails to address any inconsistencies in his allegations or provide sufficient evidence to support them, which is why his claims during the current election cycle are particularly harmful. At an Oct. 9 rally in Syracuse, New York, Trump accused Democrats of attempting to cheat in elections and challenged objections to voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements. He also dismissed concerns about racial discrimination, insisting Democrats invoke accusations of racism to defend their opposition. Trump reiterated similar remarks at an Oct. 19 rally in Park City, Kansas, referring to Democrats as "Dumocrat communists.” He then diverted to talking about transgender women competing in women’s sports and “the absolute mutilization of your children, where your son Timmy comes home five days later as Sarah and you don't even know about it.” Trump’s repeated allegations of voter fraud, often unsupported by evidence, only undermine the truth of his future statements. He uses those claims, along with other exaggerated remarks, as a scare tactic to create distrust in the electoral process and discredit election results that do not favor him. A similar reaction may take place if the anticipated blue wave occurs in November’s midterm election. As demonstrated by the shepherd boy in Aesop’s fable, “liars are not believed even when they speak the truth,” which is not coming from Trump anytime soon.
WHAT A 2016 FEDERAL LAWSUIT ALLEGED ABOUT DONALD TRUMP
Try not to vomit as you read this KATIE JOHNSON WAS 13 AT THE TIME OF THESE ALLEGED ACTS
The following excerpts are from a federal complaint filed April 26, 2016, by a plaintiff using the name Katie Johnson against Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein (Case No. 5:16-cv-00797-DMG-KS, Document 1). The California case was dismissed, and a subsequent New York lawsuit was withdrawn. The allegations were never adjudicated, and Trump denied them.
5. The Plaintiff, Katie Johnson, alleges that the Defendants, Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey E. Epstein, did willfully and with extreme malice violate her Civil Rights under 18 U.S.C.; 2241 by sexually and physically abusing Plaintiff Johnson by forcing her to engage in various perverted and depraved sex acts by threatening physical harm to Plaintiff Johnson and also her family. […] 11. On the third occasion involving the Defendant, Donald J. Trump, the Plaintiff, Katie Johnson was forced to engage in an unnatural lesbian sex act with her fellow minor and sex slave, Maria Doe age 12, for the sexual enjoyment of Defendant Trump. After this sex act, both minors were forced to orally copulate Defendant Trump by placing their mouths simultaneously on his erect penis until he achieved sexual orgasm. After zipping up his pants, Defendant Trump physically pushed both minors away while angrily berating them for the “poor” quality of their sexual performance. 12. On the fourth and final sexual encounter with the Defendant, Donald J. Trump, the Plaintiff, Katie Johnson, was tied to a bed by Defendant Trump who then proceeded to forcibly rape Plaintiff Johnson. During the course of this savage sexual attack, Plaintiff Johnson loudly pleaded with Defendant Trump to “please wear a condom”. Defendant Trump responded by violently striking Plaintiff Johnson in the face with his open hand and screaming that “he would do whatever he wanted as he refused to wear protection. After achieving sexual orgasm, the Defendant, Donald J. Trump put his suit back on and when the Plaintiff, Katie Johnson, in tears asked Defendant Trump what would happen if he had impregnated her, Defendant Trump grabbed his wallet and threw some money at her and screamed that she should use the money “ to get a f---ing abortion”.
Source: Federal lawsuit, Katie Johnson v. Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey E. Epstein, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, filed April 26, 2016; House Oversight Committee Epstein records, documents 029257-029264, available through Roll Call's Factba.se. David Bruce paid for this ad.
THE POSTATHENS.COM / 13
For the Record: Political Ads are no longer political NYLA GILBERT COMMUNITY STANDARDS EDITOR
In 2026, the idea of creating a smear campaign to call someone a “liar” using their childhood sexual assault and estranged mother seems unfathomable, yet here we are. Earlier last week, Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ran an ad featuring Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton’s estranged mother. Acton has not seen her mother, Donna Stearns Arthur, since she was 12 years old. She and her brother, Philip Stearns, were removed from their mother’s custody due to the severe physical and sexual abuse they faced from their stepfather, Cledith Arthur. Their stepfather was indicted for rape, according to The Associated Press. Acton has been publicly vocal about the conditions of her childhood, speaking with The Youngstown Vindicator in 2019 about details including living in about 18 homes before the age of 12. After Acton and her brother were removed from the violent custody of their mother and stepfather, they lived in a tent on a campground just outside of Youngstown. “I’d hoped he wouldn’t sink this low, but of course he did,” Acton said. Philip Stearns also responded to the ad, coming out to defend his sister and condemning Ramaswamy. “After he was arrested and Amy and I were removed from their custody, our birth mother stayed married to Amy’s
rapist until he died,” Philip Stearns said in a statement from Acton’s campaign. “This desperate, disgusting attack reveals exactly who Ramaswamy is at his core – a pathetic excuse for a man who is willing to hurt anyone as long as it gets him what he wants.” Vice President JD Vance expressed dissatisfaction with Republicans' harsh reaction to the ad, backing Ramaswamy. “I am a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans in this country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional democrats and other democrats want to do to the United States of America,” Vance said. President Donald Trump also spoke out on Truth Social to defend Ramaswamy’s ad. The fact the vice president chooses not to condemn the ad, and instead chooses to express “disgust” with those who do, is telling of how seriously this administration takes sexual assault. Ramaswamy had to scramble to defend the $4 million ad, which was slated to run for the rest of his campaign. “We ran an ad about lying. Amy Acton is lying,” Ramaswamy said in a CNN video. “She has been lying this entire campaign, about me, about her record, about her history in this state. The irony is they’re lying about an ad that is about lying.” What Ramaswamy and his team need to understand is you cannot lie about things that are public record. A simple records request would have told his team who the liar was. For an administration that has made the variations of the phrase “proper
legal channels” into a buzz phrase against sexual violence survivors, you would think a 12-year-old girl who did go through the proper channels, got her rapist and abuser charged, would earn the ultimate respect from the pro-legal system party. Yet, this is not the case. This has transcended the realm of politics. This is no longer a political campaign. There have always been derogatory ads during election seasons. However, using childhood sexual assault and homelessness in a state that is historically labeled a “trafficking state” and is a national leader in anti-trafficking efforts was a horrible choice. Ramaswamy’s campaign already had to remove clips from a previous ad about three weeks ago that featured a convicted sex offender. Political ads are meant to focus on the choices, beliefs and fallacies of political candidates. We are meant to understand who a politician is by the way they engage with us. We are meant to understand what they believe in, how they want to help the public and who their constituents are, understanding what makes you the best option compared to your opponent, politically. Ohio has been such a battleground; if you are not going to a rally or deeply ingrained in political parties, it is entirely possible you don’t know what candidates believe in. Not only are the ads taking gross personal shots, but they also are not informative. I cannot tell you what Ramaswamy’s personal beliefs are outside of Republican Party talking points. The
point of Ohio-targeted political ads is for Ohioans to know a candidate’s plans to solve their issues. Gas prices are still high and climbing increasingly higher. The cost of living in Ohio is looking more unlivable every day. Senate Bill 1 wiped out impactful resources from college campuses that served surrounding communities despite insistence that it was only taking “wokeness” out of higher education. One of the most important Ohio legislative decisions in recent history has yet to be addressed, despite it preventing our educators, who are trying to unionize, from striking. House Bill 68 is still making its way to the Ohio Senate. The bill, as it is advertised, will not only ban transgender athletes from performing in sports outside of their sex assigned at birth, but also prevent minors from accessing gender-affirming care. This will ban medication and treatments, like hormone treatments, for conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. There have been no discussions on how this will impact young girls dealing with these conditions. Yet, I am supposed to believe the most pressing matter is knowing that a political candidate's estranged mother called her a liar because she stayed with her husband who brutalized her children. The newest wave of political ads is so disturbing and ineffective that it is insulting to Ohioans' intelligence.
Early Voting in Ohio is open through Sunday, November 1st Check the Athens County Board of Elections website for hours and information.
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3RD
Are you planning to vote in-person on election day? Check your registration status, preview your ballot online, and verify your polling location.
14 / THE POST | ELECTION 2026 SPECIAL SECTION | OCT. 27, 2026
Students voting participation this election season LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER With Election Day on Nov. 3, Ohio University students above the age of 18 are encouraged to vote. To vote in person, the Athens County Board of Elections holds voting in its election offices. It offers the option for students and people from other counties to change their voting address to Athens to vote in-person or mail-in ballots. Voting registration is now closed, but for OU students who are registered to vote and researching election polls, Election Day cannot come soon enough. Madeline Reuter, a sophomore studying biological sciences, is voting in the upcoming election. Reuter said she voted by a mail-in ballot last year, but is voting in person in Athens Nov. 3. “I changed my voting address to Athens just to make it easier on myself to vote in person on Election Day,” Reuter said. “Actually last year I tried to do mail in ballots, but it was kind of new and I
didn’t send it back in. I think this year because it’s a senate race year and governor election it feels more important to vote.” Reuter said even though she is spending a short amount of her life living in Athens, it is still important to get involved with the local elections. “I think we always need more people at the polls just to vote,” Reuter said. “I mean, that’s your civic right. You might as well use it.” According to a study by researchers at Tufts University, the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement, the nation’s largest study of college and university student voting, found 53% of students voted in the 2024 general election. College student voting has seen an upward trend since 2012, the NSLVE states. However, for some students, it can be difficult to see the importance of voting, especially when living away from home. Molly Murphy, a freshman studying biochemistry, said she believes one of the barriers stopping students from voting is
the belief their vote does not matter. “I think a lot of young adults are discouraged from voting because they see the state of America, they see the state of the world, and they're like, ‘there is literally nothing we can do to stop this from happening,’” Murphy said. Murphy said no matter how small a vote might feel, it is more important for students to use their voice regardless of the election outcome. “I think it’s important because it makes people believe, which it is true, that all voices matter,” Murphy said. “No matter the outcome of the election, you tried to make a change and people got their opinions out there and it made other people think. This is like such a pivotal time in our lives to start making change.” Ava Valentik, a sophomore studying nursing, is participating in the election this year through a mail-in ballot. Valentik said research is important before going to vote, especially with political advertisements circulating. “I’m sure everyone has been seeing those ads,” Valentik said. “Those ads are
END RUSSIA’S WAR IN UKRAINE Russia invaded Ukraine. A larger nuclear power crossed a sovereign border because Vladimir Putin believed he could seize territory and outlast the world’s attention. That is the root of this war, and pretending otherwise does not make anyone thoughtful; it just makes them unserious. Ukraine has the right to defend its sovereignty. That is not negotiable. We should support them. The goal has to be a durable end that preserves Ukraine’s independence while reducing the risk of this spiraling into a broader conflict. That requires leverage, diplomacy, and clear-eyed limits about what we are trying to achieve and what we are not. Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s on this but many people need a place to liveposition that does notissue, feel like the Sword of Damocles. centrist and progressive politicians hold similar positions.
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Is it your campus address or your permanent home address? Don’t assume. Take a few minutes to check your registration, confirm your polling location and understand your voting options before heading to the polls.
everywhere, and while those are informative, it’s also important to do your own research and to look at your own things and to tune into all the things on certain news platforms because this is a big decision. It can affect a lot of lives so it’s worth taking the time to look into it and make a decision for yourself.” Although voting registration for Election Day closed, the Athens County Board of Elections encourages people eligible to register to vote. Valentik said the registration process was “easy” for her. “I actually had my mom help me with the mail-in portion,” Valentik said. “So reaching out to people who may have done it before is a really good strategy, and I didn’t register to vote here in Athens but from what I’ve seen it’s super easy. There are people all around campus, and they’re more than willing to help and super happy to have you sign up.” @ LIBBYSHOE_ LS299724@OHIO.EDU
ARE YOU A VOTER IN OHIO DISTRICTS 2 OR 12? JENNIFER MAZZUCKELLI (mazz-uh-kelly) is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 2. jen4oh2.com JERRAD CHRISTIAN is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 12. christianforohio.com
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING
IN OHIO CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 1
THE ELECTION IS TUE, NOV. 3 VOTE: GOOD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.
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