LaRose Recomends Suspension of In-person Voting

LaRose Recomends Suspension of In-person Voting

by | Mar 16, 2020 | Blog

COLUMBUS, OH, Mar. 2020 — Thanks to the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Ohio has led the nation in responding to the coronavirus crisis. Following their lead, Secretary LaRose has utilized their expert counsel and advice to execute every available option at his disposal to run a safe, secure, fair, and healthy primary election. The county boards of elections and thousands of patriotic poll workers have worked tirelessly to prepare for election day and should be commended for their incredible dedication to civic duty.

Keeping Ohioans safe and voting accessible. Through March 15, guidance from the ODH indicated it would be safe to vote on election day. However, new information has led ODH to recommend Ohioans who are 65 and older to self-quarantine in their homes, making it challenging for these individuals to vote on March 17. In response, we expect a lawsuit that postpones the March 17 election and shifts it to a new day. Because the authority to shift election day does not reside with the Ohio Secretary of State, this change must be enacted by either a legal order or an act of the state legislature.

If ordered by the court, Secretary LaRose is prepared to implement an alternative to the March 17 election. The first presidential nominating convention is the Democratic National Convention beginning July 13. It’s essential to have enough time for Ohio to hold an election, certify the results, and allocate our delegates prior to that convention. If a judge were to order the primary election should not be held on March 17, Secretary LaRose is prepared to recommend moving election day to June 2. More details will be forthcoming.

All votes already submitted will count. It’s important that voters who have already submitted their vote by mail or in-person know that their vote will be counted.

OUTCOME: These are certainly unprecedented times, and Secretary LaRose has implemented the guidance of the Ohio Department of Health every step of the way. As this situation has evolved, we are once again following expert consultation in order to keep Ohioans safe. If ordered, by moving Ohio’s election day we can ensure Ohio voters have every opportunity to have their voice heard and stay healthy in the process.

 

Posted by Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.

BOE: Ready for Election Day

BOE: Ready for Election Day

by | Mar 16, 2020 | Blog

WAYNE COUNTY, Ohio, March 16, 2020 — ALL polling locations will be OPEN on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. even if the facility is closed for normal business that day.

Three locations have been relocated.  They are as follows:

New Locations

Election Officials working at polling locations have been instructed and will be taking safety precautions regarding sanitizing surfaces and washing their hands.

Voters are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer and/or wash their hands, use their knuckles for making selections on the voting machines, and practice social distancing while in attendance at the polling location.

Special curbside voting will be offered at each polling location.  Please ask someone going into the location to ask an Election Official to come out to you to be assisted OR contact our office at 330-287-5480 asking us to contact the specific polling location for you.

Please be patient!  We had many regular poll workers call off because of health reasons.  We are very fortunate to have many people who have volunteered to work the polls within just the past few days.  The Election Officials at each polling place are dedicated and will strive to do their best to assist voters on Election Day.

Please thank your Election Officials for their service under very extraordinary circumstances!

 

Posted by Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.