Primary election: What to know before casting a ballot in Wayne, Holmes & Ashland counties

Bryce Buyakie, The Daily Record
·3 min read
Tuesday is primary election day. Here's what you need to know before heading to the polls.
Tuesday is primary election day. Here's what you need to know before heading to the polls.

Area voters will see a few changes when they hit the polls for Tuesday's primary election.

Congress: Primary Election: Democrats and Republicans battle for top-party spot in US 7th District

From offices not appearing on the ballot to new polling locations, here's what voters in Wayne, Holmes and Ashland counties need to know.

When do polling locations open?

Polls are open in Ohio from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 3. Anyone in line to vote when polls close can still vote.

Polling locations by county

Many of the polling locations in Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties remain the same. To find out where you vote, visit the respective board of elections websites.

Events: Wreaths Across America coming to Wayne County Fairgrounds for education event May 7

Polling changes in Wayne County

Sugar Creek Township's first precinct moved its location at the Kidron Community Center to Sonnenberg Village Church at 13497 Hackett Road in Apple Creek.

The fourth precinct in Chippewa Township moved from Doylestown Public Library to Doylestown Village Hall at 24 S. Portage St.

What should I bring with me to the polls?

Ohio voters need some form of identification to verify their identity.

This includes any document issued by the federal or state governments that has not expired.

Driver's licenses and state identification cards must include a photo of the voter, the voter's current address and name, according to the Secretary of State Office online.

Also acceptable are military IDs, utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks and other government documentation.

To learn more about accepted forms of ID, visit the Secretary of State's website.

Early voting hours in each county

Local boards of elections are hosting early voting hours in the days leading up to May 3 at each board location.

All three counties will hold early voting on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Wayne County: 200 Vanover St. Suite 1

  • Ashland County: 110 Cottage St. Suite 106

  • Holmes County: 75 E. Clinton St. Suite 10

How has redistricting affected the Primary Election?

The Ohio House map approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission that was later rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.
The Ohio House map approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission that was later rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Three offices will not appear on the May 3 primary ballot.

Near constant problems have plagued the redistricting process for Ohio's state and federal maps.

The state House and Senate maps changed multiple times but were ultimately invalidated by the Ohio Supreme Court in February, according to the Wayne County Board of Elections.

The Ohio Senate map approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission that was later rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.
The Ohio Senate map approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission that was later rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Because of these delays, the offices of state senator, state representative and members of the state central committee will not appear on the ballot.

A second primary will mostly likely be held on Aug. 2 for these offices, according to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

The 7th Congressional District consists of Medina and Wayne counties, the southern and western portions of Cuyahoga County and a northern strip of Holmes County.
The 7th Congressional District consists of Medina and Wayne counties, the southern and western portions of Cuyahoga County and a northern strip of Holmes County.

Voting for Congressional representatives will go on despite similar redistricting problems.

The majority holding Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission passed the congressional maps in early March, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

The new map would help Republicans retain at least 10 of 15 seats and win as many as 13, the dispatch reported in March.

A lawsuit was filed contesting the map after Democrats on the Redistricting Commission said they were cut out from the map-making process.

Reach Bryce by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com

On Twitter: @Bryce_Buyakie

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Here's what you need to know before you vote on May 3