ASHLAND — The latest addition to the Ashland County Board of Elections’ office has early voters saying, “Let me take a selfie.”
The board’s director, Shannon Johnson says the new selfie wall was hung outside of the board’s office this October, just a few days before early and absentee voting opened.
“The trend now is early voting, and this allows them to share their experience. It enhances it,” Johnson said.
After casting their ballots, voters are encouraged to snap a picture in front of the wall, which features Ohio’s new voting stickers. Johnson has most frequently seen young voters pausing for a photo at the wall.
“I saw a younger man here the other day with his mom. I think, it was his first time voting,” Johnson said. “They stopped to take a photo of him, and then him and his mom both.”
It’s seeing these moments that Johnson says makes the addition “worthwhile.”
She explained the idea to add a selfie wall at the Board of Elections came from a 2016 state conference, where another board of elections received a state award for introducing a selfie wall to voters.
“(The director) indicated, that voters really enjoyed it,” Johnson said. “So when we recently change voter registration software and the company offers to make these signs, we came up with this.”
After casting a ballot Thursday, Montgomery Township resident Ann Schar paused for a photo with the board’s deputy director Kathy Howman.
“I feel it’s important to vote because if you don’t vote, you can’t b—–,” Schar said.
Her husband, Tim Schar declined a picture, but had also voted.
“It’s a civic duty,” he said.
Early voting continues daily through Election Day at the Ashland County Board of Elections office, located at 110 Cottage St., Suite 106. Hours run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.
On Tuesday Nov. 5, voters should plan to visit their assigned polling station. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Voters will be electing city, village, township and school board officials. Next year, federal, state and county elected officials will be on the ballot.
“I think there’s voter confusion about what’s on the ballot,” she said. “This year is only for local candidates and issues.”
Those who had a ballot mailed and don’t want to pay the postage to return, can use the new ballot dropbox, which is located at the side entrance of the Ashland County Office Building, 110 Cottage St.
People are instructed to pull around the drive and insert their ballot. The box is secure and monitored at all times, Johnson assured voters. People are reminded to make sure all their information is complete on their identification envelope.
To view a sample ballot, visit ashlandvotes.us or download an app, called Ohio Voter Info., which came with the board’s recently acquired voter registration system.
