absentee voting
States target ballot drop boxes in fight over voting rights
Ballot drop boxes are so secure they’ve survived getting hit by an SUV and rolled by a school bus — yet much of the battle over voting rights has centered on the big metal boxes. In the November 2020 general election, nearly 40 states had ballot drop boxes available and more voters used drop boxes than in any […]
What changes Ohio elections officials do — and don’t — want to see
The organization representing elections officials throughout Ohio sees a bill proposing numerous elections changes as a mixed bag. There are some provisions in House Bill 294 the Ohio Association of Elections Officials would like to see adjusted, executive director Aaron Ockerman said Monday, while there are others it supports. One item in particular, to eliminate […]
Election reform battle comes to Ohio with new Republican proposals
The 2020 election in Ohio, Republicans will tell you, was perhaps the most successful in state history. Ohio recorded its highest turnout ever, despite a pandemic that saw COVID-19 cases rising in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Secretary of State Frank LaRose led a major poll worker recruitment drive and coordinated safety protocols […]
Ohio House GOP’s proposed voting law changes, explained
Two Republican lawmakers recently unveiled their election reform bill to colleagues, proposing changes to how Ohioans can register to vote and cast absentee ballots in future elections. The bill has not yet been introduced, but Reps. Bill Seitz of Green Twp. and Sharon Ray of Wadsworth outlined their proposals in a cosponsor request to fellow […]
Early voting underway in Ohio for May 2021 primary election
It is election season once again in Ohio, though you may or may not have something to vote for this spring. Early voting has begun for the May 2021 primary election, which features tax levies and other local government races throughout the state. The easiest way to check if you have a local issue to […]
Ohio bill would require hundreds of ballot drop boxes be installed across state
Democratic lawmakers want to increase voter drop box access throughout the state of Ohio, proposing to install hundreds of boxes for future elections. State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland, and Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, believe the additional drop boxes will make voting more convenient for Ohioans seeking to cast absentee ballots. Secretary of State Frank LaRose, […]
Mailbag: How can someone with COVID-19 vote this year?
The election season is wrapping up, but the Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag carries on. Let’s get to it: Got a question about Ohio politics? Send them to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. Who makes the “call” in Ohio that a candidate has enough votes tallied to declare the winners of the election? Is this […]
Want to still request an absentee ballot in Ohio? Do it ASAP
Time is quickly running out. Ohioans looking to vote by mail or drop box, but who haven’t yet requested their ballot, should put in their requests as soon as possible. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is technically Saturday, Oct. 31 at noon, but Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is warning that date […]
Mailbag: We might not know who won Ohio on Election Day. Here’s why.
There is Supreme Court confirmation drama underway in Washington, D.C., but the necessity of reading the Ohio Capital Journal is a well-established super-precedent. It’s time for the Mailbag: Got a question about Ohio politics or the elections? Send them to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. Do mail-in votes and in-person early votes both start […]
‘I just don’t trust the system any more.’ Voters on edge as election nears.
WASHINGTON — Widespread anxiety and confusion around voting, compounded by the pandemic that has spread to millions of Americans, including President Donald Trump. A vastly underfunded and decentralized electoral system that could take days and possibly weeks to certify results. Attempts to suppress voting, interfere with elections and cast doubt on the integrity of mail-in […]
Biden says he’ll support election outcome but Trump urges supporters to ‘watch very carefully’
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pledged Tuesday night to accept the outcome of the election, while President Donald Trump urged his supporters to “watch very carefully” what happens as voters cast their general-election ballots. Those comments were in response to a question at the first presidential debate from debate moderator and Fox News anchor Chris […]
Ohio closing in on 2 million absentee ballot requests
Voters turn to absentee ballots amid pandemic More Ohioans are embracing absentee voting this year than ever before, figures provided by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose show. A total of 1,784,004 absentee ballot applications had been received by the 88 county boards of elections offices as of Sept. 18, LaRose announced. That includes nearly […]