Board of Trustees Election

The ballots for the 2022 Retiree Board seat election were mailed First Class by the election vendor on August 23, 2022. The Retiree Board seat is the only contested election this year. Please see below for more information. We understand that delays in USPS mail delivery times may occur. Voters are encouraged to vote as soon as possible to ensure your vote is received on time. All votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. If you are concerned your ballot will not be received by the deadline, please utilize the online or telephone voting options that can be found on the ballot.

For replacement ballots and customer service, please e-mail the election vendor helpdesk at OPERSHelp@electionservicescorp.com or call the election vendor at
1-866-720-HELP (4357), Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT.

Four seats on the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and Ohio Public Employees Deferred Compensation Program Boards of Trustees are up for election this year. Elections will be held Aug. 23 through Sept. 30, 2022 for each seat with at least two qualifying candidates following the petition process. Those elected will serve four-year terms beginning in January 2023.

The nomination process closed on Monday, August 1, at 4:30 p.m. EDT.

As a member of OPERS, you have a voice in decisions and policies affecting your retirement benefits. Every member is part of a specific group with representation on the Board of Trustees.

The Board is ultimately responsible for all administration and management of OPERS including setting retirement system policies, approving the overall investment plan and asset allocation strategy, reviewing and approving budgets and acting as fiduciaries of the System. Individuals elected to the OPERS Board also automatically serve on the Ohio Public Employees Deferred Compensation Program Board.

Elected Representatives

The OPERS Board is comprised of 11 trustees — seven individuals are elected by the specific group each represents. The seven elected positions on the OPERS Board of Trustees are designated for election on a staggered basis, ensuring experience and organizational knowledge is stable from year to year. Three individuals with investment expertise are appointed by Ohio's Governor, Treasurer and jointly by the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and the President of the Ohio Senate. The Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services also serves on the Board of Trustees by virtue of office.

2022 Board of Trustees Election

The four seats up for election in 2022 include one representative for each of the following groups:

  1. State Employees – Representing approximately 45,500 employees working at a job for the State of Ohio.

    View a complete list of OPERS State employers (pdf opens in new tab)

  2. Municipal Employees – Representing approximately 55,100 employees working for one of Ohio's municipalities.

    View a complete list of OPERS Municipal employers (pdf opens in new tab)

  3. College/University Employees – Representing approximately 50,700 non-teaching employees at state colleges and universities in Ohio. (pdf opens in new tab)

    View a complete list of OPERS State College or University employers (pdf opens in new tab)

  4. Retiree – One of two seats representing approximately 187,400 age and service, disability, and defined contribution (DC) plan retirees. This group includes re-employed retirees.

View a searchable list of all OPERS employers

Voting materials will be mailed on Aug. 23, 2022. All votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The final results will be certified by the Ohio Secretary of State at the OPERS office on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.

Every vote counts

Members of the OPERS Board of Trustees are elected to four-year terms. While elected by a specific group, all members of the Board of Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act SOLELY in the interest of ALL MEMBERS of the system, not just those that elected them. It's important that you participate in the selection of a member from your group. The member elected will help guide OPERS over the next four years and ensure those fiduciary obligations are met.

2022 OPERS Board of Trustees Election Timeline
All nominating petitions and required forms available JUNE 1
Completed nominating petitions and required forms due to OPERS AUGUST 1, 4:30 p.m. EDT
Voting materials mailed to eligible members and retirees AUGUST 23
Last day to receive votes SEPTEMBER 30, 11:59 p.m. EDT
Election results verified by the Secretary of State OCTOBER 3