Richland County Board of Elections Chairman Bill Freytag watches as two teenagers cast "ballots" during the 2021 Richland County Fair. (Submitted photo)
Richland County Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld said "voters" passed with flying colors, successfully utilizing modern voting equipment the county began using a couple of years ago.
"The kids did adapt petty quickly," he said. "They have grown up with electronics. It was heartening that many families would stop and show the kids how to use the machines and explain how you check your choices and saying this is how they vote each election.
"One day we also had a young lady who came and voted and was proud to bring her friends over and show them how easy it was to vote," Finfgeld said. "Of course, we did electioneering by enticing them with candy if they voted!"
Finfgeld said it's been about a decade since elections officials had a significant presence at the annual county fair.
"(Deputy Director) Jane Zimmerman and I have talked with the Board about introducing the young people to have them become more comfortable with it when they are of age and this was a great way to start," Finfgeld said.
"The 18-29 age bracket is almost always the lowest in voter turnout in elections."
Richland County Board of Elections Chairman Bill Freytag watches as two teenagers cast "ballots" during the 2021 Richland County Fair. (Submitted photo)
Local elections officials also registered 30 new adult voters and recruited a few new poll workers.
"We want to thank our full-time and part-time staff and Board members who helped operate the booth," Finfgeld said.
"Overall, it was a success and we look forward to being out at the fair again next year with a new fair ballot!"
For those wondering about the election results:
-- French fries was the clear winner (49 percent) over cotton candy (23 percent), elephant ears (19 percent) and sausage sandwich (9 percent).
-- The ferris wheel (31 percent) was the winner, besting vomit-inducing-circular ride (26 percent), The Spider (22 percent) and the merry-go-round (21 percent).
-- 4-H Booths and fair animals (48 percent) was rated the funnest fair attraction, followed by the demolition derby (21 percent), fair food vendors (15 percent), truck and tractor pull (13 percent) and the Nashville Crush band (2 percent).
-- The voters supported the fake Richland County Fair Levy with almost 75 percent approving the fictional tax issue.
City editor. 30-year plus journalist. Husband. Father of 3 grown sons and also a proud grandpa. Prior military journalist in U.S. Navy, Ohio Air National Guard. -- Favorite quote: "Where were you when the page was blank?"
