Your Vote Matters

Written by Rae Vuic, Government Business Relations Coordinator 

The future of our community is shaped not only by those who lead, but by those who choose to participate.

Democracy requires showing up, so voting is not only a right, it’s a responsibility. Election season is in full-swing in Hamilton County for the Nov. 3 mid-term election. Here is what you need to know to Get Vote Ready.

Voters Have Three Ways to Make Their Voices Heard

• EARLY IN-PERSON: Early voting is underway at the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE), 4700 Smith Road, Norwood, OH 45212. Please check the BOE website for days and times.
• MAIL-IN BALLOT: If you’re voting by mail and haven’t yet applied for your Mail-In Ballot, you can download the application on the BOE’s website or you can fill one out at any Library location.       
  • The deadline for the BOE to receive your application is 8:30PM on Tuesday, Oct. 27. To ensure timely delivery of customer applications to the BOE, the Library will stop taking applications on Monday, Oct. 26.
  • Once you have your ballot, fill it out, and return it early! Your ballot MUST BE received by the BOE by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) to count. There is no longer a grace-period for the receipt of mail-in ballots, unless you are a military or overseas voter. Follow the instructions for completing your ballot and returning it to the BOE carefully. The Library does not accept ballots. After mailing or returning your ballot, use the BOE’s Track Vote By Mail Ballot tool to make sure your ballot arrived.
• ELECTION DAY: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Visit the BOE’s Where to Vote page to find your polling location.

Remember that in-person voting requires a valid photo ID.

What’s at Stake?

Local issues and officials have a direct, daily impact on your life and community through services like transportation, safety, housing, infrastructure, parks, libraries, schools, and even economic opportunities. Your vote this November will help shape our community’s future in the following ways:

• Ohio voters will decide a mix of federal, statewide, and local races, including races for Congress, Governor, all members of the Ohio House, and certain Ohio Senate seats.
• Ohio Issue 3, the Require Voter Identification Amendment, is on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. Issue 3 asks voters whether to enshrine current voter ID requirements in the Ohio Constitution.
• Here in Hamilton County, six school districts, including Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), will have a levy on the ballot (Issue 4), as will Hamilton County Job and Family Services (JFS) - the Children’s Services Levy (Issue 10).
• Several other local offices are also up for election, including County Commissioner, judicial, municipal, and township seats.

With so much at stake at every level of government, make a plan and Get Vote Ready! Start by educating yourself on the candidates and issues. The League of Women Voters of Cincinnati Area Voter Guide provides non-partisan voter information and is available at your local branch library and at vote411.org. You can also visit the Library’s Voter Information page. An informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry, but only if you VOTE!

Rae Vuic is currently reading "Brother of the More Famous Jack" by Barbara Trapido.