MANSFIELD — Local Republicans may play a key role Tuesday in deciding the Democratic Party primary election.
There are no contested GOP races on the City of Mansfield ballot for mayor and city council slots. The Democratic side has four primary battles, including mayor, council at-large, 4th Ward and 6th Ward.
With no candidates for which to vote, it’s possible Republicans in Mansfield may ask for Democratic Party tickets, permissible under current Ohio voting rules.
“Several years ago, we had to ‘challenge’ a voter if they switched parties by having them fill out a form,” said Paulette Hankins, the Richland County Board of Elections director. “Now that isn’t the case, and in fact, we don’t even show the party affiliation on the electronic poll books so the poll worker wouldn’t even know what party they voted previously.
“They just need to request a Democratic or ‘Issues Only’ ballot in the City of Mansfield, regardless of their past voting history.”
In the 2011 primary election, both local parties had contested races for mayor. Two Democratic Party candidates received a total of 2,590 votes. Three Republicans combined for 2,715.
Veteran Richland County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Mudra knows cross-over votes are likely Tuesday.
“We understand that there is significant interest in this May’s Democratic primary and that Republicans may cross over to vote for one of the candidates for Mayor or Council At Large,” Mudra said. “It is legal and we would encourage those who cross over to check us out and stay with us as Democrats. We have good candidates and a strong party and they are welcome.”
The two Democrats at the top of the party ticket — mayoral candidates Don Bryant and Victoria Norris-Diez — recognize Republicans may impact their race.
Both said they would welcome the support.
“My message is that I want to bring everyone to the table to get things done, to work with everyone regardless of party,” Bryant said. “Local government shouldn’t be about political parties. It should be about strengthening the quality of life for the people of Mansfield and working to move our city forward.
“My campaign is reaching out to everyone, not just Democrats. I’m happy to continue having conversations with the people of Mansfield to ensure our message is getting out there.”
Norris-Diez said she would welcome Republican voters Tuesday, too.
“I would thank them for being engaged. The primary is just step one. Once we are through the primary, we are looking at a general election, where we do have a high Republican voter demographic in Mansfield,” she said. “Those voters will be crucial to the Democratic candidate. If they are willing to get engaged and hear my messages about being pro business and support the community from the ground up, then I think they should come out and vote (Tuesday).”
