The Scoop - September 26, 2016
Posted by Heather Rutz on Oct 03, 2016
The Board of Elections is ready for voting season.
It’s a common theme these days: Wanting another option for president. Allen County Board of Elections Director Kathy Meyer said Monday that voters actually have 18 write-in choices, in addition to those candidates listed on their ballots this year.
That information was just one piece of information Meyer and elections board Deputy Director Mark Vernik shared, as the two explained the role of their office and resources available through the board’s website.
Meyer also reminded the audience that much more will be on ballots, in addition to the presidential race. Most of the county offices are up for election, and several communities will see local liquor options or school levies.
“Local office holders are just as important, if not more,” than the presidential race, Meyer said about local candidates and officials’ impact on residents and local decisions.
Meyer said she likes Rotary’s four-way test and likens it the board’s work.
“We stay neutral, and our decisions are based in state code,” Meyer said. The elections board has four members, two Republican and two Democrat. Because Meyer is a Democrat, the chair of the board must be a Republican. The office staff also has two each of Democrats and Republicans, and many functions, such as unlocking storage for sensitive items, can’t be done without people from both parties.
Vernik gave the audience a tour of the board’s website, a page full of resources for voters, candidates, campaign volunteers, and the public. Voters can check their registration status, request an absentee ballot, or determine their voting location. People can get help with military and overseas voting. They can find forms, deadlines and copious resources for campaigns, Vernik said.
And, as the election comes closer and early voting opens, they can check voting wait times on social media. The deadline to register to vote in Ohio is Oct. 11 and in-person absentee voting begins Oct. 12.
The elections board is currently handling about 5,000 requests for mailed absentee ballots, and many more people will visit the office in the 3rd District Court of Appeals building on Main Street to vote early.
To learn more about the elections board or voting in the November election, visit http://www.allencountyohio.com/boe/.
In other Rotary business Monday:
Bob Christensen is retiring from Lima Symphony Orchestra and leaving Rotary.
Pam Stricker has turned in her red badge and earned her blue badge.
Lima Rotary Club President David Frost is attending the Lake Erie Watershed Conference Oct. 28 and looking for company.