FINAL STRETCH
As political campaigns enter final weeks, take note of these voter-related deadlines, tips
THE BASICS
• VOTER-REGISTRATION DEADLINE – The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 6, 2008.
• ELECTION DAY - Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. You may cast your ballot at your precinct’s designated polling place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. If you don’t know the location of your precinct polling place, contact the board of elections in your county.
WHERE TO REGISTER
• Go on one of the following Web sites for information pertinent to your location.
For Mahoning County: http://www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/mahoningweb. Click on link to the Board of Elections, click on link to voter registration.
For Trumbull County: www.electionohio.com/trumbull/. Click on “voters” link. Click on “register to vote” link. Trumbull County offers a downloadable pdf for voter registration.
• Some local schools and libraries have applications.
• Go to the Board of Elections office in your county and bring proper identification.
Mahoning County Board of Elections: 2801 Market St., South Annex, Youngstown, Ohio 44507.
Trumbull County Board of Elections: 2947 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, Ohio 44484.
You must present a valid ID to vote at the polls, but you can mail in your registration form without one.
Note: The last day to register for the November election is Oct. 6, 2008.
HOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU VOTE
• Mahoning County Board of Elections
Phone: 330-783-2474
Web site: www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/MahoningWeb
• Trumbull County Board of Elections
Phone: 330-369-4050
Web site: http://www.electionohio.com/trumbull/
HOW TO FIND YOUR LOCATION: ONLINE SEARCHES
• Trumbull County online: (http://www.electionohio.com/trumbull/FindPollingLocation.asp ). Enter your street number, street direction and street name and click the “Find Polling Place” button.
• Mahoning County online: Mahoning County Online
AT THE POLLS
What you need to know
• Bring your I.D. – Voters must bring identification to the polls to verify identity. The following are acceptable: a current and valid photo I.D.; a military identification that shows the voter’s name and current address; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.
• Provisional ballots – Voters who do not provide one of the aforementioned documents will still be able to vote by providing the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number and by casting a provisional ballot.
According to the Trumbull County Board of Elections Web site, “voters who do not have any of the above forms of identification, including a Social Security number, can vote by signing an affirmation swearing to the voter’s identity under penalty of election falsification and by casting a provisional ballot.”
HOW TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT
Option 1: Write to the Board of Elections to get an application form. The letter must include your name, address, date of birth, one form of identification, a mailing address for the ballot, and your political party preference. Then at the bottom of the letter, you must include the following statement: “I am a qualified elector,” along with a signature next to the statement.
• Mahoning County Board of Elections, 2801 Market St., South Annex, Youngstown, Ohio 44507.
• Trumbull County Board of Elections, 2947 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, Ohio 44484.
Option 2: Go to the Board of Elections Web site and fill out an application. The Trumbull County Board of Elections will have extended office hours, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 7. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday; and 1-5 p.m., Sunday.
(See the following Web sites for addresses and downloadable forms.)
• Trumbull County: http://www.electionohio.com/trumbull/absentee_1.htm
• Mahoning County: www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/MahoningWeb
Option 3: Cast a ballot at the Board of Elections office. The Board of Elections office is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT
TRUMBULL COUNTY – The Trumbull County Board of Elections is now accepting written applications for absentee voting. A registered voter may write the Trumbull County Board of Elections to request an absentee ballot. The following is required: your name, address, date of birth, one form of identification (your birth date and one of the following: your Ohio driver’s license number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of a current and valid photo identification, a military identification, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and current address), your mailing address for the ballot, the statement: “I am a qualified elector,” and your signature. Absentee application forms are a also available on the Trumbull County Board of Election’s Web site. Print out the form, fill it out and mail the form to the office at the address listed on the application.
IN-PERSON ABSENTEE – Voters may cast an absentee ballot in person at the Trumbull County Board of Elections Office: 2947 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, beginning Sept. 30. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Trumbull County Board of Elections will offer additional hours for in-office absentee voting from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, October 25 and 8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 1.
DEADLINES: The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot to be mailed is noon on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. All voted ballots must be received in the Board of Elections office by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 in order to be counted.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES – In the case of medical emergencies, the absentee ballot request deadline is 3 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 4 (Election Day).
– Compiled by Krystle Hively and Mark C. Peyko. Sources: Mahoning County Board of Elections, Trumbull County Board of Elections.
©2008 Metro Monthly - Youngstown, Ohio
