Early voting wraps up, election officials say be prepared for lines and know your ballot
NORWOOD, Ohio (WKRC) - It was very busy at the Hamilton County Board of Elections Monday afternoon as early voting wrapped up at 2 p.m.
It was Laura Boyle’s first time voting early. She came out because she is working on Election Day and wanted to make sure to register her support of candidates who, she believes, support women's health issues.
"I wanted to be sure that my voice was heard, and that the party that I feel that supports [women's health issues] the most was, hopefully, represented the most today," Boyle said.
Ivan Williams came out to support Cincinnati Public Schools. It's his first time voting early, as well.
"I figured the election would be a little more hectic this time around than the last election. So, I came a little earlier,” Williams said. "It was very quick. I got in and out. I came like five minutes ago. So, it wasn't that long."
Hamilton County Board of Elections director Sherry Poland says early voting went extremely well.
"Our early in-person numbers are actually up compared to the last midterm election of 2018," Poland said. "We've had a steady flow of voters, really, ever since we opened our doors a few weeks ago."
2018 was a record year in Hamilton County and Ohio, and 2022 looks to potentially top that.
“Our busiest time is usually first thing in the morning, at 6:30 a.m. in that first hour, hour-and-a-half is the busiest of the day. So, if you can go to your polling place at another time, you might want to consider doing that," Poland said. "Also, I highly recommend that voters log on to our website VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov and view their sample ballot. Districts changed this year, Congressional districts, General Assembly districts. So, voters may walk in and see candidates that they don't recognize on their ballot. So, you know, go to our website, view your sample ballot, take a look at it and educate yourself before you go to the polls on Election Day."
In Ohio, if your ballot is postmarked by November 7, and received by the November 18, it will be counted.
You cannot drop your mail-in ballot off at your polling precinct.
"They can go to their polling place and cast what we call a provisional ballot. It's the same type of ballot. It's just that the voter won't be able to scan it and have it counted on Election Day. It's placed in an envelope, so we can ensure that each voter only cast one ballot. It's added to the official count that occurs about two to three weeks after Election Day," said Poland.
In Kentucky, if you have an absentee ballot, whether by mail or in-person, it must be received be 6 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Even if it's postmarked before then and comes in Wednesday, it will not be counted.
Kenton County Clerk Gabe Summe says to make sure you read both sides of the ballot and know your precinct.
"I really want people to read the amendments there on the website, just because they're hard to read on the paper because it's so long and there's so many words," Summe said. "The other thing is, I want to encourage people to look up their registration and make sure they know their precinct, what should be on their ballot."
