The Ross Soil and Water Conservation District announced its supervisor election is a vote-by-mail election this year. Any Ross County resident age 18 or over can vote in the election, which names volunteer supervisors for the district. Voters can request an absentee ballot now on the Soil and Water website.
“With the pandemic disrupting the conservation district’s traditional annual meeting plans, we want to let our regular attendees know the election is vote by mail this year,” said District Administrator Bob Neal. “We’ll hold an online annual meeting with an interesting workshop on August 20, but voters have to get an absentee ballot and vote by mail before then.”
Neal said the workshop on August 20 will be a preview of the new tri-state fertilizer recommendations.
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission holds the election in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Ross Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for supervisor. Eligible voters include landowners and land occupiers, corporations, LLC's, and trusts. An eligible voter can cast a ballot by voting absentee until August 20, 2020, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the Ross SWCD office at the following address: Ross SWCD, 475 Western Ave Ste H, Chillicothe, OH 45601, by calling 740-772-4110 ext. 116, or by emailing admin@rosscountyswcd.org. Absentee ballots must be received by the Ross SWCD office by August 20, 2020.
One Supervisor will be elected to a three-year term beginning January 1, 2021. The nominees are Brice Acton, Kathy Wakefield, and Beth Workman.
Supervisors oversee the district conservation office and technicians who work to assist farm producers and property owners control drainage, reduce tillage, promote wildlife habitat, implement farm bill programs, and support a whole range of conservation initiatives designed to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality.
The Ross Soil and Water Conservation District has been assisting farm producers and property owners with conservation practices since 1947. Ross County residents can request free technical assistance about drainage issues and other conservation questions by calling the district office at (740) 772-4110 (extension 116) or visit www.rosscountyswcd.org online.