Early voting begins Wednesday: Here's what Crawford County voters need to know
Crawford County voters won't decide any local races in the Nov. 8 general election, but they'll see a full slate of issues and state races on their ballots.
Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the final day to register to vote in the election. Early voting will begin Wednesday at the Crawford County Board of Elections office, which is in the lower level of the county administration building. 112 E. Mansfield St. Absentee voting by mail also begins on Wednesday.
What issues will be on the ballot?
A hotly contested referendum issue will give Crawford County voters the opportunity to decide whether to allow industrial wind farm development.
On May 5, commissioners passed a resolution blocking wind farm development in all unincorporated areas of the county for 10 years, effectively barring construction of Honey Creek Wind, Apex Clean Energy's planned 300-megawatt industrial wind farm. But under the terms of Senate Bill 52, which became law last year, wind farm supporters were able to submit petitions forcing a November referendum vote on the issue, which could overturn the commissioners' action.
The ballot language for the issue will be: "To approve the designation of the unincorporated portions of Crawford County as a restricted area prohibiting large or economically significant wind farms as defined by the Ohio Revised Code as passed by the Board of Commissioners of Crawford County in Resolution 2022-200. Shall the resolution enacting the designation prohibiting large or economically significant wind farms be approved?"
Wind farm opponents will vote "Yes" on the issue; supporters will vote "No."
Two statewide issues will be on the ballot as well.
Ohio Issue 1 is a constitutional amendment that would make it easier to keep people behind bars before trial. The proposal says that when setting bail amounts, courts must consider public safety, a person's criminal record, the likelihood they'll show up for court and the seriousness of the crime.
The other statewide issue, Issue 2, proposes another change to the Ohios constitution, specifying that only adult U.S. citizens who legally reside and are registered to vote in Ohio for at least 30 days can cast a ballot in future state and local elections.
Nine local issues will be on ballots in the county:
Crestline, additional 9.5-mill continuing levy for safety services.
Galion Precinct 1B, allowing Sunday liquor sales by 24 Store/Valero.
Galion Precinct 2A, allowing Sunday liquor sales by BPOE Lodge 1191.
New Washington Village, 1.5 mill renewal levy for maintaining fire apparatus and appliances and current operation of the fire department.
New Washington Village, 2.5 mill, five-year renewal levy for maintaining fire apparatus and appliances and current operation of the fire department.
North Robinson Village, 2.5 mill renewal levy for current expenses for tax years 2023-2027.
Auburn Township, allowing Sunday liquor sales by Wagon Wheel Campground.
Chatfield Township, 1.5 mill, five-year renewal levy for road maintenance and improvement.
Jackson Township, 1.75 mill, three-year renewal levy for fire protection and emergency medical services.
Statewide races contested
County voters will cast ballots in a number of races.
For governor, incumbent Republicans Mike DeWine and Jon Husted face a challenge from Democrats Nan Whaleyand Cheryl L. Stephens. A number of write-in candidates have registered in the county: Timothy Grady and Dayna Bickley; Craig Patton and Collin Cook; Renea Turner and Adina Pelletier; and Marshall Usher and Shannon Walker.
In the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Rob Portman, who opted not to seek reelection, Tim Ryan, a Democrat, faces J.D. Vance, Republican. A number of write-in candidates have filed in the county: John Cheng, Matthew R. Esh, Stephen Faris, Shane Hoffman and LaShondra Tinsley.
Other races on the ballot:
Ohio Attorney General: Jeffrey A. Crossman, Democrat; Dave Yost, Republican.
Auditor of State: Keith Faber, Republican; Taylor Sappington, Democrat.
Secretary of State: Chelsea Clark, Democrat; Frank LaRose, Republican; Terpsehore Tore Maras.
Treasurer of State: Scott Schertzer, Democrat; Robert Sprague; Republican.
Representative to Congress, 5th District: Bob Latta, Bowling Green, Republican; Craig Swartz, Upper Sandusky, Democrat.
Chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court: Jennifer Brunner, Democrat; Sharon L. Kennedy, Republican.
Supreme Court justice: Pat Fischer, Republican; Terri Jamison, Democrat.
Supreme Court justice: Pat DeWine, Republican; Marilyn Zayas, Democrat.
Court of appeals judge, 3rd District: William R. Zimmerman, Sidney, Republican.
Court of appeals judge, 3rd District: Juergen A. Waldick, Delphos, Republican.
State representative, 87th District, Riordan T. McClain, Upper Sandusky, Republican.
County commissioner: Tim Ley, Bucyrus, Republican.
County auditor: Robyn M. Sheets, Bucyrus, Republican.
Board of elections office open for early voting
The Crawford County Board of Elections Office will be open for early voting 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Monday through Oct. 21 and Oct. 24-28; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 to Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5; 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7, according to a news release from the office.
People also can request an absentee ballot by mail, according to the news release. A form is available from the board office, or voters can write a letter to make the request, providing their Crawford County address, date of birth, the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number or driver’s license number, the date of election and a statement that the person is a a qualified elector. Letters should specify where the ballots should be mailed if it is a different address. The voter must sign the letter.
Absentee balloting by mail ends at noon Nov. 5. Absentee balloting in person ends at 2 p.m. Nov. 7, and the elections board office will be open until 2 p.m. that day.
Absentee ballots must be returned to the board of elections office by 7:30 p.m. on election day. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8.
The elections board office can be reached at 562-8721.
Reporters from the USA Today Network of Ohio contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Crawford County Board of Elections announces early voting schedule
