MANSFIELD — The coronavirus pandemic impact on politics continues to be felt in Richland County.
The Richland County Board of Elections predicts approximately 20 percent turnout for the March 17 extended primary election, according to local elections director Paulette Hankins and deputy director Jane Zimmermann.
That would be less than half of the voters who participated during the 2016 presidential primary election year. In that election cycle, almost 44 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.
In the 2016 primary, 35,420 voters participated.
Local elections officials said Thursday that almost 14,000 voters have either voted early in the board of elections office during the designated early voting period, or requested an absentee ballot by mail.
There is no in-person voting for this election period, which ends on April 28.
The only exception is a provision which allows any voter who falls under the category of Americans with Disabilities, or voters who cannot receive mail at their residence.
These voters are permitted to come into the board office on April 28 between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and cast their ballot on the electronic ICX voting units, or with the assistance of the remote ballot marking process.
The absentee voting deadline is near. There is a two-step process under Ohio election law to obtain an absentee ballot by mail. A signed request application with the voter’s original signature must be received by the Board of Elections before the actual ballot may be sent out to the voter.
Absentee applications to vote by mail are available by going online to: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/public_administration/board_of_elections/index.php and tapping the Voter Information link at the left, then click on the Absentee Voting tab.
An application can also be downloaded from www.voteohio.gov or requested by calling the board office at 419-774-5530.
Voters must indicate on the application whether they want to be issued either a Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, or in a few precincts, a non-partisan/issues-only ballot.
Applications for the mailed ballot must be received by noon on April 25.
Voters may return completed absentee ballot by mail in the postage paid envelope provided, or deposited in a locked drop-box, which is located in the rear, lower level parking area near the board entrance at 1495 W. Longview Ave.
If the ballot is mailed, it must be postmarked by April 27. If it is dropped off or delivered in person, it must be received by 7:30 p.m. on April 28.
Unofficial results will be available on April 28 after 7:30 p.m. Any mailed ballots postmarked by April 27 and received by May 8 will be included and counted in the official results, which are generated at least 10 days after the April 28 deadline.
Call the board office if you have questions.
