[ad_1]
Once upon a time, most voters had walk, drive or take a bus to their local polling station to vote on polling day.
Can you imagine
Ashland County Council of Elections
Holmes County Electoral Council
That sort of setup was so ’90s. Back then the only way to vote early was to go to your election office and explain that you would be out of town, say, on polling day.
But Ohio lawmakers, following the lead of dozens of other states, have changed the rules. Early voting for all made its debut with the 2006 election. It took a long time to win, but it gradually became a popular option.
In last year’s general election – likely aided by pandemic concerns – 3 out of 5 ballots cast in Ohio were early polls.
Hot dog! It’s Woosterfest:Dash of the Dachshunds: 2021 Woosterfest celebrated downtown for 38th year
Early voting for the general election on November 2 this year actually started last month for the military and for U.S. citizens currently living abroad.
From Tuesday, early voting opens to all registered voters.
Early voting in Wayne, Holmes and Ashland counties
If you haven’t registered, you have until the end of today to do so in time for this election.
The Wayne County The Elections Council, 200 Vanover St. Suite 1, Wooster, is open extended hours on Mondays until 9pm to allow for last minute registrations.
In Ashland County, the Board of Elections, 110 Cottage St., Suite 106, Ashland, is also open until 9 o’clock tonight.
And the Holmes County Board of Elections, 75 E Clinton St. Suite 108, Millersburg, offers the Extended hours at 9 tonight.
What is early voting?
Advance voting is also commonly referred to as postal voting. Depending on where you live, your ballots will include races for city and village council and other city seats; school boards and canton trustees; tax matters to fund everything from roads to schools; and alcohol options.
What’s on the ballot in Holmes County:Here’s what voters will see on the Holmes County ballot in November
Wayne County Vote:What to expect on the Wayne County November poll
A full ballot on November 2 in Ashland County:Ashland County ballot has been certified, here is the list of candidates
When can I vote in the November 2 elections?
Tuesday through November 1, to the Wayne, Holmes and Ashland Election Council or by mail – although advance ballots can legally be hand-delivered at council offices until the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on November 2.
Where to vote early?
In person at the Election Council office in the county where you live.
You must present a valid ID
Here are the dates and times for in-person postal voting at Wayne, Holmes and Ashland County Election Board offices.
- Tue Oct 5 – Fri Oct 8 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mon Oct 11 – Closed on Columbus Day
- Tue Oct 12 – Fri Oct 15 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mon Oct 18 – Fri Oct 22 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mon Oct 25 – Fri Oct 29 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sat, Oct 30 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sun Oct. 31 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mon Nov 1 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Early voting ends at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 1.
Election officials don’t expect the crowds and long lines that happened last year when a presidential race was on the ballot.
You can also vote by mail, if your returned ballot paper is canceled by November 1 at the latest and received by the election office by November 12 at the latest.
How can I vote and vote in advance?
Those who vote in person can simply go to the election office.
If you are voting by mail, first complete an application for a mail ballot – a printable template is available online through your county electoral council office or the Ohio Secretary of State’s Website.
After you receive your ballot in the mail, fill it out and return it.
What else do I need to know?
The websites of the Ashland, Wayne and Holmes Board of Elections and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose have more details on how to verify voter registration and vote early. Here is a link to get started: www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters.
Wooster Daily Record and Ashland Times-Gazette staff contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
