Election Day 2022: Local counties ready for voters

Susan King-Evans sets out ePoll Books for each precinct at the Clark County Board of Elections on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, as they get ready for Election Day. Polling places will be open today from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Susan King-Evans sets out ePoll Books for each precinct at the Clark County Board of Elections on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, as they get ready for Election Day. Polling places will be open today from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Local election officials said their offices are prepared for voters to hit the polls when locations open at 6:30 a.m. today. In-person Election Day voting in Ohio will remain open until 7:30 p.m.

Voters should confirm their polling locations before going to vote, officials said, as some may have changed.

Jason Baker, director of the Clark County Board of Elections, opens up one of the ePoll Books as he demonstrates how they work Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 at the Board of Elections office. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

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Credit: Bill Lackey

In Clark County, equipment was being delivered to polling locations throughout the day Monday, and officials said they have been preparing for the general election for months.

“We stay trained, we stay up-to-date and we stay fluid, and we treat every election in Clark County like any other,” Clark County Board of Elections Director Jason Baker said.

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About 8,200 absentee ballot requests were made in Clark County, according to data from the board of elections, while a little more than 6,900 ballots were cast in person during early voting.

The last weekend before the election is usually busy with early voting. Baker said voting was steady throughout the weekend with a line forming between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

“We got through that line pretty quickly,” Baker said. “The staff up front did a great job.”

The Montgomery County Board of Elections has trained about 1,700 poll workers, director Jeff Rezabek said, and they will work 144 polling locations serving more than 380 precincts.

“I think we have run a great election so far with the help of our vendors and also with the Secretary of State’s Office and of course the voters themselves,” Rezabek said.

As of Monday afternoon, board of elections data showed about 42,000 absentee ballots were requested and more than 17,500 people voted in person at the Montgomery County Election Board. Early in-person voting ended Monday afternoon.

During a public board meeting Monday morning, deputy director Sarah Greathouse said anyone who did not mail their absentee ballot to the election board by Monday should bring their absentee ballot to the election board drop box today by 7:30 p.m. They can also opt to fill out a provisional ballot at their polling location but should know that they cannot drop their absentee ballot off at their polling location, she said.

In this election, Ohio voters have the chance to pick state leaders including the governor, secretary of state, Supreme Court justices and state legislators. They will also get a chance to vote on a new U.S. senator and representatives in Congress.

Voters in Clark County also will have an opportunity to cast a ballot in countywide races for commissioner and common pleas judge contests. Three candidates are up in each of those races.

No new taxes are on the ballot locally, as all levies are renewals.

Voters can help keep lines short by having their IDs ready when they show up at their voting location. It’s also important to remember that the poll workers will be working a 15 to 16-hour day, Rezabek said, and any encouragement voters can give to them is appreciated.

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