COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today offered more reasons why every vote matters and can often have a significant impact on the outcome of an election.
Based on a review of recounts conducted following the 2014 General Election on Nov. 4, seven local issues were decided by one vote or tied. In each of these instances, one person could have made the difference in deciding whether local taxes would go up, bond issues passed or an area restaurant or store could sell liquor.
“Whether it is a statewide or local issue, every ballot question has an impact on our lives and it is important that every voice is heard,” Secretary Husted said. “When voters stay home they allow others to make these decisions for them.”
Secretary Husted also noted why these findings reinforce the emphasis his administration places on making it easy to vote and hard to cheat.
“Accurate voter rolls and integrity in the elections process are always important, but when a single vote can carry such weight it raises the stakes,” Secretary Husted said. “We, as elections officials, continue to do our part to ensure casting a ballot is easy and the system is secure, but ultimately it is up to the voter to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in every election.”
A total of 70 local issues and races have been decided by one vote or tied (based on a review of recounts conducted by the Secretary of State’s Office following the 2013 General, 2014 Primary and 2014 General elections).
Read more about Secretary Husted’s efforts to make it easy to vote here, to keep Ohio’s voter rolls accurate and up-to-date here, and on his vigilance in combatting voter fraud and voter suppression here and here.
