While Tuesday’s election nears, many have turned out early

STEUBENVILLE -- While poll workers prepare for Tuesday's general election, the Jefferson County Board of Elections office has reported a higher-than-average number of residents have cast their ballots early.

Bob Gale, director of the county's board of elections, said about 2,600 voters had reported to the board's office to vote in person and he expected another 200 on Sunday, the last day on which ballots could be cast there in person.

He said of about 2,000 mail-in absentee ballots requested for the election, all but about 300 had been returned.

Gale said usually about 95 percent of absentee ballots are mailed back.

He noted absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Monday and must be received by Nov. 13 to be counted.

Of the current count for early votes, Gale said, "We're way high and Issues 1 and 2 are pushing it."

He referred to proposed amendments to the Ohio Constitution concerning reproductive rights in the state and legalizing recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 years of age or older.

Gale noted early voting also was higher than usual for the Aug. 8 special election.

The election was held to determine passage of a constitutional change that would have made it more difficult to amend it, a move many have linked to the abortion issue to be decided by voters on Tuesday.

Gale said of 13,974 voting in the special election, 2,002 participated in in-person early voting while 1,013 cast absentee ballots.

He compared data for both elections to 2021, the last state election that didn't involve a presidential or gubernatorial race.

In that election, 794 took part in in-person early voting and 1,358 cast absentee ballots, Gale noted.

While Issues 1 and 2 have gained much attention, voters in various communities also will determine the winners of races for many public offices.

They include 1st Ward, 5th Ward and at large seats on Steubenville Council; mayor, 1st Ward Council seat and village clerk in Mingo Junction; 1st Ward Council seat in Toronto and more than a dozen township trustee seats throughout the county.

Also on ballots are many levies, including replacement levies for recreational purposes in Toronto and the Seven Ranges Fire District, which serves Wintersville and areas of Cross Creek and island Creek townships; a new levy to create the Buffalo Joint Fire District to serve Rayland, Tiltonsville and unincorporated areas of Warren Township; and many levy renewals for continued law enforcement, fire protection and other services in other townships and municipalities.

Gale said since the Aug. 8 special election, no changes have been made to the county's polling places, which will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Registered voters are reminded they must present an Ohio driver's license or state identification card or veteran identification.

Gale expressed appreciation to the many poll workers who will be manning the county's 64 polling places on Tuesday after undergoing at least three hours of training.

"We couldn't do it without our 300 poll workers," he said.