Don’t undervalue importance of voting now through Nov. 4

One can pardon many Ohioans for being dazed and confused over early voting for the Nov. 4 general election. After all, ever since the year began, controversy and court battles — many of them unnecessary — have changed the pre-Election Day voting calendar many times over.

Most recently, we were disheartened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last Monday, one day before early voting was scheduled to start in Ohio, to uphold a one-week cut in the calendar and to eliminate “Golden Week” when residents could register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time. That voting reduction — like much of the other tinkering with election laws in the Buckeye State and elsewhere — succeeded because of a Republican steamroller. Five Republican appointees to the high court voted in favor and the four Democratic appointees against. Similarly, the Republican-dominated executive and legislative branches of Ohio government have attempted and often succeeded in lessening voter opportunities.

Although The Vindicator tends to support all public policy that broadens voting access to the masses, today is not the day to pass detailed judgment on the new election schedule.

OHIO STILL FARES WELL

It is instead a day to recognize the importance of voting now through Nov. 4. Despite the on-going controversy, state residents can take heart in knowing that Ohio still ranks well above average in its duration and ease of early voting.

Consider that Ohio has 28 days of early-voting access in all 88 counties for this general election. Some states, including Pennsylvania, have as few as one. A congressional bill to require all states to adopt the process would require only 15 days.

Consider also the ease of casting early absentee ballots in the Buckeye State. Twenty states require a documented excuse for absentee early voting. Not so in Ohio, where registered voters can cast an early ballot without leaving the comfort of their home and with absolutely no special reason or circumstances required.

As a result, we hope voters devote serious attention to the content, not the mechanics, of voting from here to the finish line. And although this election lacks the energy and glamour of some gubernatorial years as many view the race for Ohio governor as noncompetitive, a wealth of strongly competitive candidates and issues makes voting a responsibility all citizens should take seriously.

Should Mahoning County public officials be given a five-year extension of a 0.5-percent sales tax, coupled with a 0.25 percent addition to it? Should Youngstown residents reduce the number of wards from seven to five for cost-savings and other efficiencies? Should state residents seriously consider any of the five Republican executive officeholders up for re-election?

Toward answering those questions, The Vindicator and Vindy.com are publishing informative stories profiling candidates’ views and explaining in-depth the wealth of community and school issues on this fall’s ballots. On this page, we will continue to offer informed arguments on the candidates we recommend to voters based on interviews with them and thorough analysis of their credentials.

DAYS, HOURS OF EARLY VOTING

Once readers make up their minds, they can rest assured they will have ample opportunities to formalize those choices conveniently on and well before Election Day. Polls are open at county boards of elections offices 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the final two Saturdays before Election Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. (Offices will be closed for Columbus Day next Monday.)

For those residents who think their votes don’t count, think again. Secretary of State Jon Husted points out that 43 election races in 2013 were decided by a single vote. Whether residents vote on or before election day, we urge everyone to take this exercise in participatory democracy seriously and prove the pundits predicting record low turnouts dead wrong.