Local
Election 2018: Registration deadline approaching, early vote center info
TIFFIN, OH — With the November general election quickly approaching, it’s important to know deadlines and other information in terms of voter registration and early voting:
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 is the last day to register to vote.
You can check to see if you’re registered to vote by clicking here. If you’re not registered to vote and wish to do so before the deadline, click here.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Election Week
If you’d like to vote absentee by mail, click here for information.
Here are the major races in the Ohio 2018 election:
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Richard Cordray and Betty Sutton – Democratic
Mike DeWine and Jon Husted – Republican
Travis M. Irvine and J. Todd Grayson – Libertarian
Constance Gadell-Newton and Brett R. Joseph – Green
Attorney General
Steve Dettelbach – Democratic
Dave Yost – Republican
U.S. Senator
Sherrod Brown – Democratic
Jim Renacci – Republican
Representative to Congress (4th District)
Jim Jordan – Republican
Janet Garrett – Democratic
State Representative (88th District)
Bill Reineke – Republican
Rachel Crooks – Democratic
County Commissioner (Seneca County)
Mike Kerschner – Republican
Cheryl Radin-Norman – Democratic
Ohio Issue 1 – To Reduce Penalties for Crimes of Obtaining, Possessing, and Using Illegal Drugs Â
If adopted, the amendment would:
Require sentence reductions of incarcerated individuals, except individuals incarcerated for murder, rape, or child molestation, by up to 25% if the individual participates in rehabilitative, work, or educational programming.
Mandate that criminal offenses of obtaining, possessing, or using any drug such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, and other controlled substances cannot be classified as a felony, but only a misdemeanor.
Prohibit jail time as a sentence for obtaining, possessing, or using such drugs until an individual’s third offense within 24 months.
Allow an individual convicted of obtaining, possessing, or using any such drug prior to the effective date of the amendment to ask a court to reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor, regardless of whether the individual has completed the sentence.
Require any available funding, based on projected savings, to be applied to state-administered rehabilitation programs and crime victim funds.
Require a graduated series of responses, such as community service, drug treatment, or jail time, for minor, non-criminal probation violations.
VOTER ELIGIBILITY
You are qualified to vote if:
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are at least 18 years old on or before the day of the election. If you will be 18 on or before the election, you may vote in the primary election for candidates, but not on issues.
- You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.
- You register to vote at least 30 days before the election.
How do I register to vote?
You may register to vote at one of the following locations:
- Office of the Seneca County Board of Elections.
- Any Public Library.
- Any Public High School or Vocational School.
- Any Office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
- Any offices of designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability programs.
Or call the Seneca County Board of Elections at 419-447-4424 and ask that a Voter Registration Form be mailed to you. Complete the form and return to the Seneca County Board of Elections office.
What if I have changed my address or name?
If you are already registered to vote in Seneca County and have changed your address or changed your name, you must update your voter registration. You do this by submitting a new Voter Registration Form to the Board of Elections. You may also update your voter registration at any of the locations listed above.
What address may I list as my residence?
Ohio law establishes your residence as the place to which, whenever you are absent, you have the intent to return. A post office box or a business address is not an acceptable address for your residence.
Can a college student vote from their school address?
Yes, if the student establishes that place as their residence and registers to vote. Otherwise, the student must vote in their home county where they are registered to vote.
Do I declare my political party affiliation when I register to vote?
No. Under Ohio law, a person’s political party affiliation is determined by the party ballot they choose to vote in a partisan Primary Election.
Where do I vote?
Click here to find your polling location.
You will receive a postcard/ID card assigning you to the polling location designated to serve the precinct in which you reside. If you are in doubt as to the location of this polling place, call the Seneca County Board of Elections at 419-447-4424. Polling locations are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
