Early voting in Ohio starts today

By Marc Kovac | October 12, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

COLUMBUS

Are you ready to vote for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton or Republican nominee Donald Trump?

Or maybe your inclinations lean more Green or Libertarian or toward some other political persuasion.

What about the Ohio Supreme Court? Or the Ohio Legislature? Or that local levy you’re still wondering about?

It’s decision time in Ohio, with several weeks of early, in-person voting through Nov. 8.

Mailable absentee ballots are on the way to those who requested them, and in-person absentee ballots are being cast around the state starting at 8 this morning.

Here are 10 things you should know about early voting and what you need to do in coming days and weeks to solidify your picks for president and other elected offices.

111Each of Ohio’s 88 counties has a central early voting site, where absentee ballots can be cast in person. In the Mahoning Valley, it’s at the board of elections in Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave. in Youngstown.

Trumbull’s board is at 2947 Youngstown Road SE in Warren, and Columbiana County’s board office is at 7989 Dickey Drive in Lisbon.

Early voting hours are little bit complicated:

• Through the end of this week and from Monday through Friday of next week – that is, the first two weeks of the early voting period – the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• During the week of Oct. 23, the polls will be open later on weekdays (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), plus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

• There are even longer hours during the fourth and final week of early voting, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, plus 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

• The final early voting hours will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7, the day before Election Day.

111111111If you requested one, using either the application sent to you by the secretary of state’s office or one you printed on your own, you should receive your paper ballot soon. It has to be in the mail by Nov. 7, the day before Election Day, and postmarked that day.

If you forget, you can always submit your absentee ballot in person at your local board of elections office on Election Day by 7:30 p.m.

1111111111Also, Gary Johnson will appear on the ballot as an independent candidate.

1111If you’re thinking about writing in someone else – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman says he will for Mike Pence – but they haven’t registered in advance, those votes won’t be counted.

111Incumbent Republican Rob Portman is being challenged by Democrat and former Gov. Ted Strickland, plus three other candidates: the Green Party’s Joseph DeMare and nonparty contenders Tom Connors and Scott Rupert.

There are three Ohio Supreme Court seats on the ballot this year. Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is unopposed. Pat Fischer faces John P. O’Donnell. And Pat DeWine faces Cynthia Rice.

Also to be decided: all 99 members of the Ohio House, about half of the 33 Ohio Senate seats and 1,800-some local issues, among other races.