The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
OFF TO A SLOW START
Early voting numbers low so far in Lake County
Early voting has been slowgoing so far in Lake County for the May 2 primary and special election.
As of about noon April 20, 990 people have either requested an absentee ballot or have come to the Elections Board office to vote. In this election, there are just shy of 97,000 eligible voters.
There are no countywide issues on the ballot and several communities do not have candidates or issues on the ballot at all, including Mentor, the county’s most populous city.
The only contested races are the Republican and Democratic primaries for Willoughby
As of about noon April 20, 990 people have either requested an absentee ballot or have come to the Elections Board office to vote.
Municipal Court judge. On the Democrat side, Laura DePledge and Michael P. Germano are squaring off. On the Republican side, it’s Marisa L. Cornachio against Geoffrey W. Weaver.
The Painesville Municipal Court primary is also on the ballot, but Democrat Michael Cicconetti is running unopposed and no one is running on the Republican side.
Eastlake, Kirtland Schools and Lakeline all have renewal levies on the ballot. Eastlake is seeking an additional levy, as are Madison Schools and Riverside Schools, while Madison Township is seeking a replacement levy. Kirtland also has a pair of singleprecinct liquor options.
There have been about 400 absentee ballots requested in Geauga County as of April 20. There are 10,362 eligible voters in this election.
In Geauga, Cardinal Schools is seeking an additional levy, and Chagrin Falls is seeking a bond issue and an additional tax levy. Kirtland Schools, Riverside Schools and Madison Schools each have one precinct in Geauga County as well.
Absentee applications can be printed on Lake and Geauga counties’ respective Elections Board websites.
To obtain an absentee
ballot by mail, call the Lake County Elections Board at 440-350-2700. The Geauga Elections Board can be reached at 440-279-2030.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is April 29 at noon.
In-office absentee voting at both locations April 21 runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From April 2428, hours run 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday April 29, hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday April 30, the offices will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. On May 1, hours run 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lake County Elections Board Director Jan Clair said they are still seeking volunteers to work at the polls May 2.
Applications can be found on the Lake County Elections Board’s website under the Precinct Election Official tab. From there, a link to the application can be found under the heading “Become a PEO.” Clair said the applications can be mailed, emailed or submitted in person. Those interested in becoming a poll worker also can fill out an application in the Elections Board office located on the first floor of the Lake County Administration Building at 105 Main St., Painesville.
To be a poll worker, you must be at least 17 years old, registered to vote in Lake County, must not have been convicted of a felony and must not be running as a candidate in the election.