By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Local voters will again be able to avoid Election Day lines and crowds by voting early in the Wood County Courthouse atrium.
Voting machines will be set up for the start of early voting on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
Nine machines will be stationed in the atrium – fewer than last year since it’s a non-presidential year and there aren’t a lot of contested races in the county, according to Julie Baumgardner, co-director of the Wood County Board of Elections.
Last year, the machines were used by many local voters who wanted to avoid crowded polling places for the general election during the COVID pandemic.
In the first week of early voting for the 2020 general election, more than 8,500 ballots were cast – through absentee ballots and the atrium voting machines, according to Terry Burton, co-director of the Wood County Board of Elections.
The atrium early voting was initiated last year due to the pandemic and large voter numbers expected. And Wood County voters were appreciative.
“From the feedback from the voters, they really enjoyed it,” Burton said.
Burton predicted the atrium voting would continue to be offered on presidential election years, and in situations like the COVID pandemic.
“I would like to see us continue to use it for larger elections,” he said.
But Burton isn’t sure if it will become a regular offering every general election.
“We’re going to have to feel our way over time,” he said.
The board of elections would also have to get approval for use of the courthouse atrium for an entire month by the Wood County Commissioners, who supported the trial run of the early voting option last year during the pandemic.
Burton said voters were comfortable coming to the atrium, where they could spread out. If the numbers of early voters continue to be high, then the pilot might become a regular voting option.
“I could see that becoming a part of every November election,” he said.
Like last year, voters casting early ballots at the courthouse atrium will have to wear masks over their mouths and noses.
The machines will be open for early voting on the following days:
- Oct. 5-22 weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Columbus Day on Oct. 11.
- Oct. 25-29 weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Oct. 30-31, the weekend before the election, on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The board of elections has already been receiving applications for absentee ballots. On Tuesday, Oct. 5, those ballots will start going out in the mail to voters who requested them.
It is recommended that the absentee ballot requests be received by the board of elections no later than Oct. 23, so there is time to mail out the ballots, have them completed, then returned by Election Day.
Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the board of elections by the close of voting on Election Day at 7:30 p.m., or if mailed, must be postmarked by Nov. 1 and received by the board of elections by Nov. 12.
Baumgardner cautioned that voters should make sure they have filled out all the necessary information.
Proof of identification accepted for an absentee ballot includes the voter’s Ohio driver’s license number, the last four digits of voter’s Social Security number, a copy of a current and valid military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows the voter’s name and current address.
Voters can request absentee ballot applications on the board of election website www.co.wood.oh.us/BOE, or by calling the board of elections office at 419-354-9120. People can then track their absentee ballots at www.VoteOhio.gov/track.
The board of election website lists all the candidates and issues that will appear on Wood County ballots. For local residents unsure of their polling place on Election Day, the website also offers assistance.
