Ohio’s 1,308 townships are grassroots governments providing services like road maintenance, fire protection, and zoning (ORC Title V). Each township has four elected officials: three Township Trustees and one Township Fiscal Officer, all serving 4-year terms in nonpartisan elections held in odd-numbered years (e.g., 2025, 2027).
1. Township Trustee
What a Township Trustee Does
Township Trustees form a three-member board responsible for the township’s governance and operations in unincorporated areas (ORC 505.01). Key duties include:
- Road Maintenance
- Oversee repair and maintenance of township roads (e.g., snow removal, paving).
- Example: Approve a contract to resurface a township road.
- Public Safety
- Authorize police or fire services, either directly or via contracts with other jurisdictions (ORC 505.48–505.55).
- Example: Establish a township fire department or contract with a nearby city.
- Zoning and Land Use
- Adopt and enforce zoning resolutions (if approved by voters) to regulate development (ORC 519.02).
- Example: Approve a zoning variance for a new business.
- Parks and Cemeteries
- Maintain township parks, cemeteries, or memorials (ORC 517.01).
- Example: Fund improvements to a township park.
- Budget and Contracts
- Approve the township budget, levy taxes (with voter approval), and manage contracts.
- Example: Propose a property tax levy for road repairs.
- Other Services
- Manage waste disposal, ditches, lighting, or community facilities (ORC 505.26).
- Example: Contract for township-wide trash collection.
How to Run for Township Trustee
Elections occur in odd-numbered years (e.g., November 2, 2027). Two trustee seats are elected in one cycle, and the third in the next, alternating every two years.
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: At least 18 (Ohio Constitution, Article V, Section 1).
- Residency: Live in the township for at least 30 days before the election (ORC 503.24).
- Voter Registration: Be a registered voter in the township.
- No Conflicts: No felony convictions; cannot hold conflicting offices (ORC 503.24).
- Qualifications: No specific education required; leadership or community experience is helpful.
Steps to Run
- Research Local Rules
- Confirm the 2027 cycle for your township’s trustee seats (check with your county board of elections).
- Review the Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide.
- Resource: Ohio SOS Elections Page
- Timeline: Start in 2026 (e.g., April–June).
- Declare Candidacy and File Paperwork
- File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petition (Form 3-L, nonpartisan) with your county board.
- Appoint a campaign treasurer and open a bank account.
- Deadline: File by 4 p.m., 90 days before the general election (e.g., August 4, 2027, as no primary for nonpartisan township races).
- Collect Signatures
- Gather 25 valid signatures from township voters (ORC 3513.253); larger townships may require more (check county board).
- Use Form 3-L.
- Deadline: August 4, 2027. Collect extra signatures for safety.
- Pay Filing Fees
- Fee ~$30, waiveable with signatures in some counties.
- Deadline: August 4, 2027.
- Campaign Finance Registration
- Register with the county board if raising/spending funds (ORC 3517.10).
- Resource: Ohio Campaign Finance Handbook
- Deadline: Register before fundraising (e.g., summer 2026); pre-election report due ~October 5, 2027.
- Campaigning
- Build a platform (e.g., “better roads” or “expanded fire services”).
- Engage voters via township meetings, door-to-door, or local events.
- Timeline: Start in summer 2026, peak in fall 2027.
- General Election
- Appear on the ballot township-wide (nonpartisan).
- Date: November 2, 2027.
- Resource: Ohio Election Calendar
- Post-Election
- If elected, take office January 1, 2028.
- File final finance reports (~December 2027–January 2028).
Hypothetical 2027 Timeline
- April–June 2026: Confirm seat availability.
- July–December 2026: Plan platform, collect signatures.
- January–July 2027: Finalize signatures.
- August 4, 2027: File petitions by 4 p.m.
- October 5, 2027: File pre-election finance report.
- November 2, 2027: Election Day.
- January 1, 2028: Take office.
2. Township Fiscal Officer
What a Township Fiscal Officer Does
The Township Fiscal Officer (formerly called Township Clerk) manages the township’s financial and administrative records (ORC 507.01). Key duties include:
- Financial Recordkeeping
- Maintain accurate records of township receipts, expenditures, and budgets.
- Example: Record funds received from a state gasoline tax.
- Meeting Minutes
- Keep and distribute minutes of township trustee meetings (ORC 507.04).
- Example: Document a vote to approve a new park.
- Budget Preparation
- Assist trustees in preparing the annual budget and tax levies.
- Example: Draft a budget proposal for road maintenance.
- Public Records
- Respond to public records requests and maintain township documents.
- Example: Provide a resident with a copy of meeting minutes.
- Payroll and Payments
- Process payments for township employees and vendors.
- Example: Issue paychecks to township road crew.
- Compliance
- Ensure financial practices comply with state law and audits by the Ohio Auditor of State.
- Example: Submit financial reports for an annual audit.
How to Run for Township Fiscal Officer
Elections occur in odd-numbered years (e.g., November 2, 2027), with one fiscal officer elected per township.
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: At least 18 (Ohio Constitution, Article V, Section 1).
- Residency: Live in the township for at least 30 days before the election (ORC 503.24).
- Voter Registration: Be a registered voter in the township.
- No Conflicts: No felony convictions; cannot hold conflicting offices (ORC 507.01).
- Qualifications: No specific education required; bookkeeping or accounting experience is preferred.
Steps to Run
- Research Local Rules
- Confirm the 2027 cycle for your township’s fiscal officer seat.
- Review the Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide.
- Resource: Ohio SOS Elections Page
- Timeline: Start in 2026 (e.g., April–June).
- Declare Candidacy and File Paperwork
- File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petition (Form 3-L, nonpartisan) with your county board.
- Appoint a campaign treasurer and open a bank account.
- Deadline: File by 4 p.m., August 4, 2027.
- Collect Signatures
- Gather 25 valid signatures from township voters (ORC 3513.253); larger townships may require more.
- Use Form 3-L.
- Deadline: August 4, 2027. Collect extra signatures.
- Pay Filing Fees
- Fee ~$30, waiveable with signatures.
- Deadline: August 4, 2027.
- Campaign Finance Registration
- Register with the county board if raising/spending funds.
- Deadline: Register before fundraising (summer 2026); pre-election report due ~October 5, 2027.
- Campaigning
- Build a platform (e.g., “transparent finances” or “efficient budgeting”).
- Engage voters via local events or township newsletters.
- Timeline: Start in summer 2026, peak in fall 2027.
- General Election
- Appear on the ballot township-wide (nonpartisan).
- Date: November 2, 2027.
- Post-Election
- If elected, take office January 1, 2028.
- File final finance reports (~December 2027–January 2028).
Hypothetical 2027 Timeline
- April–June 2026: Confirm seat availability.
- July–December 2026: Plan platform, collect signatures.
- January–July 2027: Finalize signatures.
- August 4, 2027: File petitions by 4 p.m.
- October 5, 2027: File pre-election finance report.
- November 2, 2027: Election Day.
- January 1, 2028: Take office.