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In case you haven’t noticed, we are heading into the back stretch of the mid-term, election cycle.
We’re down to a month before Election Day, which falls on Nov. 3.
There aren’t many local races on this fall’s ballot. The only contested race, in fact, is for the Jan. 1 Jefferson County commissioner seat between incumbent Republican Eric Timmons and Democrat Brent Nemeth.
All of the other races at the county level will be uncontested.
That doesn’t mean area residents won’t have things to vote on. There are 18 local issues on the ballot, a few of which will affect every county resident. Those include the renewal of a 1.5-mill, five-year property tax to provide funding for the county’s 9-1-1 system, and the renewal of a 1.7-mill, 10-year levy for the operation of services of the county board of developmental disabilities; for the acquisition, construction, renovation, financing, maintenance and operation of developmental disabilities; or for both such purposes.
The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, meanwhile, will be seeking the renewal of two 1-mill, 10-year levies.
Of course, the statewide races have taken center stage this election season, with hotly contested battles for governor and U.S. senator well underway. Ohio remains a key player in this election -- a win in the state is almost a must if the Democrats want to succeed in their goal of regaining control of the Senate. That’s why the battle between Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed to the post in 2025 after J.D. Vance became vice president, and Democrat Sherrod Brown, who spent 18 years in office until being defeated by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno in the 2024 election.
The race for governor between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton also is attracting a lot of national attention.
Closer to home, the Congressional Sixth District race is contested -- incumbent Rep. Michael Rulli is facing Democrat Elizabeth Kirtley -- as is the 96th Ohio House race -- incumbent Republican Ron Ferguson is being challenged by Democrat Cherrie Foglio.
All of that means there are a lot of candidates and issues to learn about before you cast a ballot in this year’s election. Of course, there will be preview stores of many races and issues appearing in the newspaper during the next couple of weeks. Another good way to become an informed voter is to take part in one of the forums or meet-and-greet events that are being held across the area.
That includes the forum being held at 6 p.m. Monday by the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Womens Club. Officers and members of the organization have worked hard through many election cycles to make sure area residents have the chance to meet the candidates and hear them answer questions concerning their races.
They are happy to continue to take that on -- and it’s an event that those who want to be more informed should plan to attend.
This year’s forum is returning to the auditorium that had been its location for many years -- Youngstown State University-Steubenville.
After introductions, each candidate will be given two minutes to introduce themselves and discuss their backgrounds and platforms. Moderators will ask a series of questions submitted by audience members, and candidates will be given set times to answer the questions.
Ballot information will be available for viewing, and representatives will be available to offer information about issues and levies.
Moderators will include Dylan Clelland from WTOV-TV and me, roles we have filled several times.
Having the chance to learn about candidates and issues is important, but even more important is to make sure you are registered to vote. If you are not, you are running out of time. The deadline to register for the Nov. 3 election is 9 p.m. Monday. Officials with the Jefferson County Board of Elections have said their office will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to accommodate those who still need to register. And if you can’t make it there, you can register at VoteOhio.gov.
Early voting in Ohio begins Tuesday. Votes can be cast at the board of election in the Jefferson County Tower building at the corner of Market and Fifth streets in downtown Steubenville from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12-16; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19-23; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24; from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26; from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27; 7:30 a.m. to 730 p.m. Oct. 28-30; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1.
There will be no early absentee voting on Nov. 2, election officials said. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day, for those who want to cast a vote using the traditional format.
Ohio continues to offer three ways to vote: Through the traditional absentee system, through in-person early voting and at your precinct location on Election Day. That means everyone who wants to cast a ballot should be able to do so.
None of that really matters unless you are registered to vote. And even if you are, it doesn’t really matter unless you take the time to learn about the candidates and issues and take the time to cast your ballot.
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is senior writer for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times)