COLUMBUS, Ohio – If the number of requests for absentee ballots is any indication, there will be no long lines at polling places in Franklin County next Tuesday, due to a lack of statewide or national issues.
As of Tuesday morning, slightly over 16,000 voters had requested absentee ballots by mail, while a little more than 1,000 had voted in person at the Franklin County Board of Elections, spokesman Ben Piscitelli said. That is about one-fifth the number of those who cast ballots early in 2011, when statewide issues on collective bargaining for public employees and federal healthcare reform were on the ballot, Piscitelli said.
Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Only local issues are on this year’s ballot, including a levy request for the Columbus City Schools, city council and judicial races and a bond issue for the city of Columbus. Voters will also elect candidates for township trustee and determine the outcome of tax questions and liquor options, Piscitelli said.
Ohioans will vote on 1,678 local issues, 194 of which are school issues, according to Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office.
Voters have until Saturday to cast in-person absentee ballots at the Board of Elections or request an absentee ballot by mail.
The Franklin County board, 280 E. Broad Street, will be open for early voting from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, Piscitelli said.
Voters may apply for a ballot by mail by downloading at application online or by calling 614-525-3100.
Piscitelli says ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and arrive at the board’s offices by Nov. 15 to count in this election. Absentee ballots may also be dropped at the board of elections until the polls close on Election Day but will not be accepted at any polling location opened that day.