MANSFIELD — One in five registered Richland County voters is expected to participate in Tuesday’s election.
That was the Monday morning predicted voter turnout estimate by Richland County Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld, who said he expects 20 percent of the county’s 77,527 registered voters to cast ballots.
That means 80 percent will likely miss the opportunity to make decisions on races for mayor, city/village council, school boards, township trustees and a myriad of local tax issues.
Polling sites around the county will be open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Click here for a recap of Richland Source pre-election coverage.
Finfgeld admits to a bit of frustration that more people don’t participate in local elections. In 2021, the most recent comparable election cycle, just 19.8 percent of voters took time to cast ballots.
“I would love Richland County to prove me wrong. I would accept that challenge,” he said with a laugh.
“Everyone has to be involved and make their voices heard if they want to make a difference or make a change. They have to go to the ballot box. Sitting at home is not going to do it.”
As of Monday morning, there were 4,233 votes cast during the month-long “early voting” availability, including 3,334 who came to the Board of Elections office on Longview Avenue to vote in person.
That’s up sharply from 2,079 early votes in 2021. But Finfgeld said he doesn’t believe that is evidence of an overall surge in voter participation.
“I wouldn’t say so, necessarily. I think early voting has gained in popularity. More people know it’s available and like to use it,” he said.
Despite the fact there are 20 tax issues on the ballot, including two county-wide renewals, Finfgeld isn’t expecting the current property tax fervor to drive larger numbers to the polls.
“I know we are living in a different (political) climate. (But) renewals don’t drive people to the polls. Requests for new money is usually what drives it. It will be interesting to see if that holds true,” he said.
He said he expects higher turnout among voters in the Madison Local School District, which has an income tax issue on the ballot, as well as the Village of Bellville, which has a cannabis dispensary question to be decided.
Finfgeld said a higher turnout is also likely in Ontario, which will be electing a new mayor, as well as other city races. Ontario Local Schools has a contested race for the board of education and voters also have choices in the race for Springfield Township trustee.
“But I also think some parts of the county won’t hit 10 percent where everything is uncontested and there is only a tax levy renewal or two,” he said.
Voters who requested absentee ballots and plan on returning them in person must drop them off at the Board of Elections office by Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. when polls close. They can place their own ballots in the dropbox outside if they choose, again by Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Voters returning ballots by mail must make sure they are postmarked by Monday and must be received at the Board of Elections by Saturday in order to be counted.
Finfgeld and Deputy Director Jane Zimmermann on Friday reminded voters of some recent changes in polling places:
