COLUMBUS, Ohio – Election Day is now less than one month away and Ohioans can begin casting ballots this week.
Monday is the deadline for registering to vote or updating voter information and absentee voting begins the following day, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that delayed the start of balloting for one week. Following the ruling, Secretary of State Jon Husted issued a directive establishing uniform hours for in-person absentee voting over the course of four weeks, including two Saturdays and a Sunday.
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day Nov. 4.
A new resource is available that could help prevent voters who feel left in the dark about candidates’ positions on important issues.
AARP Ohio released its 2014 Voter Guide last week. The guide is available online and contains information on the governor’s race and all 16 Ohio congressional races. For those who aren’t sure which candidates are in their district, Volunteer State President Mike Barnhart says they can enter a street address and the correct voter guide will appear.
Barnhart says AARP Ohio designed the guide for voters of all ages, not just those over 50, and it includes candidates’ positions in their own words on policy matters important to older Ohioans, such as the future of Social Security and Medicare, and other issues.
Barnhart says AARP takes positions on some issues, but does not endorse candidates.
In addition to candidates appearing on the ballot, voters will decide the outcome of 1,674 local issues, including school and local tax levies, bond issues and charter amendments, according to Husted’s office.