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STEUBENVILLE -- Voters in Tuesday's special election will decide the fate of a controversial ballot measure that would make it harder for voters to amend Ohio's constitution in the future.
If it's approved, future ballot initiatives would require at least 60 percent of the votes cast to pass. The signatures of at least 5 percent of the eligible voters in each county would be required to get an amendment on a statewide ballot and, after Jan. 1, no new signatures could be added to an initiative petition proposing to amend Ohio's constitution once it has been filed with the secretary of state.
Given that's it's a special election, Jefferson County Board of Elections Director Bob Gale said, "We look for the turnout to be lower than other elections" though higher than an August 2022 special election when only 5 percent of registered voters in Jefferson County turned out at the polls.
This time around, Gale said his office is anticipating around a 12 percent turnout.
"Everyone should review the issue and get out and vote," Gale said. "Let's make this turnout higher than expected."
Polls will be open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Gale said some things to keep in mind as you go to the polls include:
— There is no early voting today: The Ohio General Assembly, with bipartisan support from Ohio election officials, eliminated Monday early voting hours "to provide county boards of elections with adequate time to prepare for the Tuesday election."
The bill gave the secretary of state discretion to reallocate those six hours of early in-person absentee voting previously available by adding hours on Monday through Friday of the preceding week.
— In Irondale, voters should remember their polling location has been moved to Saline Township.
— Voters in Steubenville 5-2, 5-3 and 6-1 have been moved out the of the Steubenville Country Club and into the Jefferson County Event Center at 256 John Scott Highway.
— Voters at the country club are reminded about the Lover's Lane detour, "so plan your route accordingly."
"If you have a line at your polls, please be patient and courteous to the poll workers," Gale said. "They are using newer equipment for the first time. We couldn't have an election without these dedicated civic-minded individuals. We are always looking for poll workers and individuals to help prepare for every election. If you want to assist in the next election, call the board of elections at (740) 283-8522."
Beginning Wednesday, Gale said office will be at full staff to receive any petitions and issues for the November General Election. The deadline to submit them is at 4 p.m.
"In the future, anyone wishing to vote using an absentee ballot should call our office 60 days prior to the election to get an absentee ballot application mailed," Gale said. "We will begin to accept and send those requests in September. If you want to vote absentee in November don't delay in making your request -- we can't send them out automatically, you must request an absentee request form."