COLUMBUS – Columbus City Council and Mayor Andrew Ginther are happy to do what the Franklin County Board of Elections will not.
City Council Monday approved an ordinance to authorize $280,000 from the city’s general fund for a voter education program the county elections board voted not to support earlier this month.
“Nonpartisan information about voting is critical to our democracy now more than ever. Rather than engaging in partisan bickering about basic voter education, I am committed to funding nonpartisan information about candidates and issues, as well as basic information about where to vote,” Ginther said.
A proposal calling for the Board of Elections to spend $280,000 for public service announcements ahead of the Nov. 6 general election was headed off by a tie vote by the board, the first time since 2006 the board has refused to fund a voter-education campaign before a general election.
The ordinance calls for the city to hire Strategic Public Partners, LLC, for consulting services, information and associated public service announcements geared toward helping new residents and new voters navigate the voting system and tell them about opportunities to vote early in person or by mail.
The legislation goes into effect immediately upon receiving Ginther’s signature.