Early Voting Begins In Two Ohio Special Election Primaries!

FEATURED PHOTO: OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE FRANK LAROSE

IdeastreamPublicMedia/org, By Kelsey Paulus-WKSU, Posted July 15th 2021

Summer is not typically election season, but Wednesday kicked off early voting for two vacant Congressional seats in Ohio in Districts 11 and 15.

Ohioans are choosing replacements for former Rep. Marcia Fudge in the 11th Congressional District, which covers Cleveland and parts of Akron, and former Rep. Steve Stivers in central Ohio’s 15th Congressional District.

Although special election turnout has been on the rise in the past years, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said summer might hinder this.

“Unfortunately, history tells us that when you have these sort of mid-summer special elections, there tends to be a lower turnout rate,” LaRose said.

He stressed how easy the state makes it to cast a primary ballot by voting either early, absentee or in person Aug. 3.

“In Ohio, there are four weeks of early voting. We’re one of the few states in the nation that offers such an expansive period of early voting, that’s something that we’re proud of,” LaRose said. “We make it really easy to vote in Ohio with three methods.”

Early voting takes place at county boards of elections.

The primary winners will face off in the general election Nov. 2.

To find out if you are able to vote in either of the special elections, or for more information regarding how to vote, visit VoteOhio.gov.