COLUMBUS – Early voting in the Nov. 8 general election in Ohio is in its second week and an effort is underway to help voters feel more informed about important, but often confusing, races on the ballot.
According to a judicial election survey conducted by the Bliss Institute, 60% of voters reported they don’t have enough information to make a good choice when voting for judges and 30% said they don’t vote in those races because they are confused about the different kinds of judges.
With the help of a grant from the Ohio Supreme Court, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Broadcasters, the Ohio News Media Association and the Ohio State Bar Foundation have created a website intended to increase voter participation in judicial races by providing information about candidates and the offices Ohioans will be voting on.
The general election ballot includes the Ohio Supreme Court, appeals courts, common plea courts, and county courts.
The Judicial Votes Count site features in-depth information about those offices and the candidates seeking, highlighted by an informational video (see above).
Voters: Stakes are high for the midterms
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 71% of voters think the future of the country is at stake when they vote in November’s midterm elections.
The poll findings suggest voters are motivated to turn out despite deep pessimism about the state of U.S. politics and dissatisfaction with the country.
With less than a month to go about 8 in 10 registered voters say casting their ballot this year is extremely or very important.
That’s true of voters who prefer Republicans win majorities in Congress, and those who want to see Democrats remain in control.