Countdown to 2024 General Election
November 5th, 2024
Important Dates:
Primary Voting Schedule
- Feb. 20: Deadline to register to vote.
- Feb. 21: Early in-person voting begins.
- March 12: Deadline for absentee ballot applications.
- March 18: Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by this day.
- March 19: Election Day.
- March 23: Absentee ballots mailed on or before March 18 must arrive at boards of elections by this day to be counted.
Ohio General Election
- Oct. 7: Deadline to register to vote.
- Oct. 8: Early in-person voting begins.
- Oct. 29: Deadline for absentee ballot applications.
- Nov. 4: Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by this day.
- Nov. 5: Election Day.
- Nov. 9: Absentee ballots mailed on or before Nov. 4 must arrive at boards of elections by this day to be counted
Elect Thomas Ballinger for Wayne County Sheriff in 2024
“I am excited to announce my candidacy as a Republican for Wayne County Sheriff. I will serve Wayne County with experience, dedication, integrity and transparency while being fully committed to public safety. It has been my life’s ambition to serve others. As your next sheriff, I promise to:
- Protect the constitutional rights of our citizens
- Preserve our Second Amendment rights
- Enhance community relations with businesses and the residents of Wayne County
- Work diligently to reduce any unnecessary spending
- Continue the Explorer program to better serve and prepare the youth of Wayne County
- Continue to build relationships with the community and other law enforcement agencies”
-Tom Ballinger
Tom Ballinger
Tom graduated from Smithville High School in 1990. He has been married to Melanie for 28 years and together they have 3 adult children; Lincoln (Mary), Derek, and Averie.
Tom has been a lifelong resident of Wayne County and has resided in Orrville for the last 18 years. He has over 18 years in law enforcement and has had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Wayne and Summit Counties.
During his career, Tom has attended numerous training and leadership courses and is proficient in investigations, juvenile diversion, and crisis intervention, as well as drug recognition, and apprehensive training.
Dedicated To Service
Military Service
Tom has always felt the call to service. Tom served our nation in the United States Army for 7 years, with duty stations in Germany and Kansas, both with the 1st Infantry Division. Because of his leadership skills, as well as strong work ethic, he obtained the rank of staff sergeant.
Police Service
Upon Tom’s completion of service with the US Army, he started his law enforcement career with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. Tom began his career working in the Corrections Division and later transitioned to road patrol. For the last 15 years, Tom has served the citizens of Copley in various roles. In addition to his other duties he established and oversaw citizens police academies in Copley, Barberton, and Norton.
SWAT & DARE
Tom started a new journey with the Copley Police Department where he had the opportunity to be a member of the Honor Guard Team, Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert through the State of Ohio, Swat Negotiator (Metro Swat), Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), a Dare Officer (Copley-Fairlawn City Schools).
Top Issues
Community Policing
Community policing is now more important than ever.
- I will to continue to build relationships with the community through interactions with local agencies and member of the public.
- This can be accomplished by creating partnership with the citizens of Wayne County to help reduce crime.
- I will build relationships and engage with community members to address public safety issues
Policies
- Increase the number of patrol units on the roadways for quicker response time and stronger community policing
- Continue to develop the relationship with the WCSO and community mental health organizations to ensure individuals receive the treatment needed
- Work with the courts, commissioners, and probation to re-instate the Discipline and Rehabilitation Center (DRC)
- Strengthen the relationship with school districts and law enforcement through regular interaction and collaboration
- Continuously obtain grants and federal funding to help provide new and updated equipment, training for all the deputies, drug enforcement, education and school safety programs
- Establish a county-wide juvenile diversion program that promotes responsible behavior while keeping youths away from the juvenile court system
Community Involvement
- One Eighty – president of the board
- Orrville Boys & Girls Club – past board member
- American Legion Orrville – member
- Wayne Co. Farm Bureau – member
- FOP Lodge 94 – member
- Brokenlock Longrifles Gun Club – member
- Orrville Lions Club – member
- Nami Wayne Holmes Co. – volunteer
- Orrville Rotary – past member
- OHuddle – past member
Organized Fundraising for the following:
- Wounded Warrior Project 5k
- Supply Drive for WVA Floods
- Toys for Tots
- Injured Officer 5k
- Glioblastoma Cancer 5k
- Breast Cancer 5k
- Safety Forces With Students Flag Football
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Car Wash
