Voters across the City of Vermilion and Vermilion Township will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. This guide outlines every race and issue on local ballots, including city offices, township trustees, school board contests, and countywide measures. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
City of Vermilion
The city ballot includes races for mayor, city council, and municipal judge, along with a proposed charter amendment that would change how future tax increment financing (TIF) ordinances are approved.
Mayor: Russell Owens is running unopposed for his first term.
President of Council: Jeff Lucas is also unopposed.
Council At-Large: Gary B. Howell Jr. is unopposed.
Ward 4 Council Race: Voters will decide between Homer S. Taft and Philip Gerald Dombrowski.
Ward 1: No candidate filed; the seat will be filled by appointment.
Wards 2, 3, and 5: All uncontested.
Vermilion Municipal Court
The race for Vermilion Municipal Court Judge features Kenneth M. Lieux and David J. Berta. The winner will serve a full term beginning January 1, 2026.
Read more about the judge raceCharter Amendment (Issue 26)
Vermilion voters will decide whether to require voter approval for any new TIF (Tax Increment Financing) ordinances that affect city or school district property. A “yes” vote would add that requirement to the city charter.
Read more about the charter amendmentVermilion Township
Township voters will decide a competitive trustee race with nine candidates and a ballot issue concerning fire and EMS services.
Township Trustees (Vote for Two): Charles Hall, Kurt Johnson, Tom Krukemeyer, Katie LaLonde, Don Rowe Sr., Nancy L. Sauer, Joseph C. Trinter, Malcolm R. Williams, and Keith Sexton.
Read more about township trustee raceFire and EMS Levy (Issue 15): The measure replaces the existing 1.65 mills and increases it to 5 mills for fire and emergency medical services, continuing indefinitely if passed.
Read more about the fire and EMS levyVermilion Local Schools
The Vermilion Local School District ballot includes both a board of education race and a significant bond issue.
Board of Education (Vote for Two): Sara Stepp, Sarah Scarvelli, and Jill Treece are running for the two open seats.
Read more about school board candidatesSchool Bond Issue (Issue 25): The proposed bond would authorize up to $47 million for construction, furnishing, equipping, and renovating school buildings and facilities. The levy, outside the ten-mill limit, would collect 4.08 mills per $1 of taxable value—approximately $143 annually for a $100,000 home—and run for 30 years.
Read more about the $47 million school bondCountywide and Regional Issues
Voters across Lorain and Erie Counties will also see broader measures that affect taxes, health services, and regional education boards.
Lorain County Sales and Use Tax (Issue 1): This proposal would add 0.25% to the county sales tax rate to fund the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office and jail operations. The increase would be permanent unless repealed.
Read more about the Lorain County sales taxErie County General Health District (Issue 18): This renewal levy would continue existing funding for the health district at 0.5 mills for another five years.
North Point Educational Service Center: Voters will select two members for the governing board. Candidates are Eileen Bulan and Philip David Thiede.