Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 302.08
(B) The board shall consist of such number of members as shall be determined by inclusion of one of the following optional provisions in the alternative form adopted pursuant to section 302.03 of the Revised Code: Option A. Three members. Option B. Five members. Option C. Seven members. Option D. Nine members. If the electors of a county approve a proposition to adopt an alternative form of county government under section 302.06 of the Revised Code, and thereby adopt a different size of the board of county commissioners, the change in membership shall be effected as follows:
(C) The term of office of county commissioners shall be for four years, except as provided in division (C) of this section. If the alternative form as adopted provides for no change in size of the board of county commissioners, county commissioners shall continue to be elected for four-year terms. If the alternative form as adopted provides for an increased membership on the board of county commissioners as provided by one of the optional provisions B, C, or D of division (B) of this section, the additional members shall be elected to the board at the first regular state election subsequent to the adoption of the alternative form. If the first election under an alternative form of county government provided for in sections 302.01 to 302.24, inclusive, of the Revised Code, occurs in a year in which one county commissioner is to be elected under section 305.01 of the Revised Code, and the alternative form as adopted provides for an expansion of the board to five, seven, or nine commissioners, the required number of vacancies shall be filled as follows:
(3) If the new board is to be a nine-man board seven commissioners shall be elected, five commissioners for four-year terms and two commissioners for two-year terms; the five candidates receiving the most votes being awarded the four-year terms and the two-year terms being assigned to the next two candidates in terms of votes received. If the first election under an alternative form of county government provided for in sections 302.01 to 302.24, inclusive, of the Revised Code, occurs in a year in which two county commissioners are to be elected under section 305.01 of the Revised Code, and the alternative form as adopted provides for an expansion of the board to five, seven, or nine commissioners, the required number of vacancies shall be filled as follows: