Fast Facts:
Ashland County will have 106 candidates on the ballot this November.
The board of elections expects a high turnout this year, citing statewide issues.
Early voting in Ohio begins today, Oct. 11.
The board of elections still needs to hire 10 poll workers.
ASHLAND — It may be an off-year election, but that doesn’t mean the ballots aren’t full or that turnout will suffer.
The Ashland County Board of Elections is expecting a high turnout this November — higher even than August’s special election and higher than the last presidential election.
The Ashland County Board of Elections reported a 41.8% turnout for the August special election. The last presidential election, in 2020, brought 76.8% of Ashland County voters to the polls.
“I definitely believe we’ll be closer to the 76 number,” said Shannon Johnson, the board’s deputy director.
She said the reason is behind the controversial state issues.
State Issue 1, also known as the “Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion” initiative, would amend Ohio’s constitution. It would establish the right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.”
Those decisions include “decisions on contraception, fertility treatment, continuing one’s own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion,” according to the petition’s language.
State Issue 2, known as the “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol” initiative, would legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.
Candidates and local races
“There’s usually a pretty big amount of candidates running just because of townships, villages — those local races,” she said.
There are 106 candidates on Ashland County’s Nov. 7 ballot, according to the board of election’s candidate list. Of those, 47 are running in contested races.
Below is the board’s approved list of candidates, issues and levies that are set to appear on the November ballot in Ashland County. (Johnson said candidates Cynthia Gaubatz and Charles Gardner have withdrawn, as of Tuesday.)
Early voting
Wednesday marks the first day of early voting in Ohio. Voters could cast a ballot at the Ashland County Board of Elections starting at 8 a.m.
Early voting in Ohio lasts through Nov. 5, when offices are open from 1 to 5 p.m.
“If people want a ballot mailed to them, we’re stressing they get that application in as soon as possible,” Johnson said.
Poll workers needed
Johnson said the board of elections needs 10 more poll workers.
“We always like to have five or six extras to fill in if needed,” she said.
Poll workers are paid $120 for working on Nov. 7. They are also paid $20 for training. For more information, call 419-282-4273 or 419-282-4279.
All Ashland County polls will be open this year and there are no changes to existing precincts.