MANSFIELD — Mike DeWine or Nan Whaley? Tim Ryan or J.D. Vance? Beth Owens or Kirsten Pscholka-Gartner?
The 2022 general election is not until Nov. 8. But Richland County voters can begin making their voices heard in the races for Ohio governor, the U.S. Senate and Richland County Domestic Relations Court — along with a raft of other races — when early voting begins Oct. 12.
Richland County Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld said Monday he expects 55 to 60 percent of the county’s 81,469 registered voters will participate in this year’s election.
MANSFIELD — The Richland County Board of Elections has announced changes in three voting locations for the Nov. 8 general election and all future elections.
The first change affects voters in Mansfield 6D precinct:
Old Location:
Diamond Hills Baptist Church, 647 S. Diamond St., Mansfield
New Location:
Mission Point Church, 54 E. Cook Road., Mansfield
The next change affects the voters in the Worthington Township A & B precincts:
Old Location:
Three Crosses Church, 12 Cleveland St., Butler
New Location:
The Butler Event Center, 111 W. Elm St., Butler
The third change affects voters in the Mifflin Township A, B, C, D, & E precincts:
Old Location:
Mansfield Freewill Baptist Church, 998 Laver Road, Mansfield
New Location:
Ridgeway Church of God, 1380 Park Ave. East, Mansfield
Voters in these precincts have been notified by mail of their new polling location name and address, according to local Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld.
The board does not expect to make any other revisions unless an emergency situation arises, he said.
“We encourage voters to take advantage of Ohio’s ample early voting opportunities,” Finfgeld said.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for the Nov. 8 election is noon on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before the election in order to be counted. Voters can also drop it off at the Richland County Board of Elections at 1495 W. Longview Ave. Suite 101 in Mansfield.
These ballots can also be placed in the locked and secure dropbox located in the rear, lower level parking area of the Longview Center.
“We would encourage voters who desire to vote by mail not to wait until the last minute,” Finfgeld said.
For more information, call the Richland County Board of Elections at 419-774-5530.
“That’s pretty much in line with what we see in (gubernatorial) election years,” he said.
In 2018, voter turnout in Richland County was 54.66 percent. It was 37.76 in 2014 and 48.18 in 2010.
But you have to register to vote if you want to take part. The deadline to register is Oct. 11 and the local board of elections will be open until 9 p.m. that evening.
Those arriving that day at 1495 W. Longview Ave., Suite 101, need to enter through the rear entrance.
Finfgeld said the board will begin mailing out absentee ballots on Oct. 12.
“We have had 5,200 applications for mail-in ballots as of Friday — more ballots than we had in the last election,” Finfgeld said.
The county has 19,275 registered Republicans and 6,856 registered Democrats, according to the director, with the rest claiming no party affiliation.
Finfgeld said the race for governor, U.S. Senate and Ohio Supreme Court will likely draw voters, along with local races and issues such as the bond issue for the Lucas Local School District.
Those voting early in person can vote at the Board of Elections on the following dates and times:
— Oct. 12-14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
— Oct. 17-21 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
— Oct. 24-Oct. 28 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
— Oct. 29 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— Oct. 31-Nov. 4 — 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
— Nov. 5 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— Nov. 7 — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Early in-person voting ends Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. After that, voters must vote at their polling place on Election Day, Nov. 8.
“We will be directing voters to enter the room through one door and exit through the other one to help with the traffic flow,” Finfgeld said.
“As a reminder, voters should not wear campaign apparel or engage in political discussions at the early voting site or at the polls on Election Day,” he said.
Residents who want to see their ballot online can use the “voter information search” tool on the local elections board website at https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/richland/vtrlookup.aspx#
Enter enter your last and first name and then click sample ballots to the right of your name.
