Early voting is underway

CELINA - Early voting got underway Tuesday for the Nov. 4 general election that has major economic implications for local schools, governments and various agencies and departments.

Among the issues at stake in Mercer County this general election are an emergency renewal levy considered a crucial source of funding for Celina City Schools, a new levy to fund the financially strapped Mercer County Health District and a replacement levy to finance the Southern Mercer County Joint Ambulance District.

Auglaize County also has a 10-year 0.5% sales tax renewal levy on the ballot deemed vital for its day-to-day operations. On the books since 1996, the sales tax garners roughly 20% of Auglaize County's general fund revenue.

Additionally, numerous contested races on the ballot could reshape the identities of local city councils, school boards and boards of township trustees.

"Running elections is about preparation, and Ohio's bipartisan officials have done the work to ensure a secure and accessible election," Ohio Secretary of State LaRose said in a statement. "I encourage every eligible voter to visit VoteOhio.gov and make their voting plan."  All in all, over 6,000 local races are on the ballot across the state that will determine the future of Ohio's communities, according to Ohio Democrats.

At least locally, voters are increasingly casting their ballots ahead of Election Day.

A majority of voters in Mercer County opted to vote absentee for the 2024 presidential election, whether early in-person or absentee by mail.

The turnout rate was 80.76% in Mercer County, with 55% of the 23,978 ballots cast early in-person or absentee by mail. Breaking it down further, 10,640 voted on Election Day, 10,136 early in-person and 2,959 absentee by mail, according to the Mercer County Board of Elections' official canvas.

The turnout rate was 78.69% in Auglaize County, with 43% of the 25,880 ballots cast early in-person or absentee by mail. Breaking it down further, 14,343 voted on Election Day, 8,094 early in-person and 3,132 absentee by mail.

For the Nov. 4 general election, early in-person voting hours are uniform across the state: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today through Friday, Oct. 14-17 and Oct. 20-24; 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Oct. 27; 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Oct. 28; 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Oct. 29-31; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1 and 1-5 p.m. Nov 2.

Early in-person voting is conducted in the auditorium in the southwest corner of the Mercer County Courthouse in Celina and the Auglaize Board of Elections Office at 209 S. Blackhoof St., Room 205, Wapakoneta.

Voters must provide a government-issued photo identification with an expiration date that has not passed. Valid IDs include a driver's license, state of Ohio ID card, interim ID form issued by Ohio BMV, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

Voters also can request absentee ballots from their board of elections. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the board by 8:30 p.m. Oct.28. Applications are available on boards of elections' websites.

Absentee ballots returned by U.S. mail must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received by boards of election by Nov. 8 to be counted.

Individuals may deposit their personal absentee ballot in drop boxes at each county board of elections office. The Mercer County drop box is located in the circle driveway on the north side of the courthouse.

The Auglaize County drop box is located in the alley on the north side of the administration building.

In a news release, LaRose also pointed out that the Absentee and Early Voting Data Dashboard will be updated weekly, giving Ohioans unprecedented transparency and allowing them to better analyze early voting trends and statistics.

Learn more about this tool and about the election transparency initiative at OhioSoS.gov/Data.

Polls will be open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Election Day.