Primary election day arriving in Richland County, across Ohio
The countdown is on for the March 19 primary election for voters in Richland County and across Ohio.
The primary election features contested races, including those for sheriff and county commissioner, with significant activity on the Republican ballot. These local contests, along with races for the U.S. Senate, Supreme Court positions, and other offices, present a diverse array of choices for voters.
Ohio’s voting hours on primary election day are 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“All the same polling locations that were open in November will be open again for this election,” said Matt Finfgeld, director of the Richland County Board of Elections. “I don’t anticipate any kind of lines. It hasn’t been real busy here, not as busy as I thought. So I wouldn’t expect it to be at the polls either.”
Finfgeld also addressed the situation for voters in Shelby, Jackson, and Sharon Township, where the absence of “issues-only” ballots impacts those wishing to remain unaffiliated.
“Unfortunately, they wouldn’t have anything to vote on in this election in those areas,” he noted, pointing out the limitations for voters desiring to maintain an unaffiliated status.
The sheriff’s race shows that three Republican candidates – Matt Mayer, incumbent Steve Sheldon, and Donald Zehner – are competing for the coveted position. No Democrat filed.
Local offices such as Richland County commissioner are in the spotlight, with Republicans Darrell E. Banks, David Morgenstern, Tony Vero, and Democrat Aaron Williams running. Vero and Banks, both incumbents, are seeking separate seats. Vero faces Morgenstern
in the primary. Banks and Williams are running unopposed in the primary.
In the judges of Ohio’s Fifth District Court of Appeals races, Republicans Aletha M. Carver, Jeff Furr, Robert G. Montgomery, Dixie Park, Kevin W. Popham, Patricia A. Delaney, and David Gormley are all contending for judicial positions.
Finfgeld shared insights into the county’s readiness, voter turnout projections, and the importance of party affiliation in the primary election process.
Finfgeld indicated that all regular polling locations are expected to open for the election without anticipated delays or lines.
The last days of early voting are Saturday, March 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Longview Center, 1495 W. Longview Ave., in Mansfield.
Early voting is not available on Monday, reflecting a change implemented last year. This adjustment aims to streamline the voting process and ensure readiness for the primary election day.
Addressing voter turnout, Finfgeld shared, “We’re predicting probably 25% turnout,” a figure based on the activity observed during the early voting period.
This projection underscores the participation level anticipated by local election officials for this significant electoral event.
Key positions of Richland County prosecutor and clerk of courts are also on the primary ballot, which features many uncontested races. Republican incumbent Jodie Schumacher is the only candidate for prosecutor. Democrat Chris Adams and Republican incumbent Denise Ruhl are on the primary ballot for clerk of courts.
Other candidates include county recorder with Republican Denise R.
Jackson, county engineer with Republican Adam M. Gove, county coroner with Republican Daniel D. Burwell, and county treasurer with Democrat Bart W. Hamilton.
For the Representative to Congress in the 4th District, Republican Jim Jordan in November will face either Steve Thomas and Tamie Wilson, both Democrats, who are seeking their party’s nomination in the primary.
The Ohio Senate 22nd District has Republican Mark Romanchuk and Democrat Kathy Salem contesting, and the State Central Committee positions for the 22nd District see Republicans Bill Heck and Zoi Romanchuk.
The state representative race for the 76th District features Democrat Alomar Davenport and incumbent Republican/former Shelby Mayor Marilyn John, both looking toward November with no primary opponents.
Winners, and unopposed primary ballot candidates in the March 19 primary will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
As Finfgeld explained, one key feature of primary elections is the opportunity for voters to change their party affiliation.
This aspect of the electoral process allows individuals to switch party allegiances, though it commits them to their chosen party until the next primary.
“A primary is when you can change your party affiliation. That’s the only way you can change your party affiliation,” Finfgeld elaborated, highlighting a crucial consideration for voters seeking to adjust their political alignments.
“So if you are a Democrat and you want to pull a Republican ballot, you can do that,” he said. “But just understand you’re going to be a Republican until the next primary. You cannot change that affiliation until that next primary. And vice versa, if you’re a Republican, you want to pull a Democrat ballot,
you’re going to now be a Democrat.”
“If you don’t want to be affiliated with either, then you either have to pull an issues-only ballot, if you have one – and not all the county has an issues-only ballot,” Finfgeld said. “Or something I hate to say is you don’t vote if you want to stay unaffiliated. That’s the only way you can stay unaffiliated. And you have to do that for multiple years. It’s not just one year.”
Interestingly, the ballot will include presidential candidates who have suspended their campaigns but did not formally withdraw.
Finfgeld clarified, “They suspended, they didn’t withdraw,” ensuring that votes for these candidates are valid, which adds another aspect to the election. Their names remain on the ballot.
As the election draws near, the goal is to announce final results by 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. on primary election day, reflecting the efficiency and effectiveness of the county’s vote tallying procedures.
Finfgeld emphasized the Richland County Board of Elections website as a resource for voters seeking polling location information
and sample ballots, reinforcing the commitment to facilitating a smooth voting experience.
A new identification law, put into place in 2023, now mandates that voters present specific forms of ID at the polls.
To enhance election security, Ohio House Bill 458, passed in December 2022, mandates that voters present a government-issued photo ID when voting in person.
Valid IDS, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, include:
– Ohio driver’s license – State of Ohio ID card – Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
– U.S. passport
– U.S. military ID card – Ohio National Guard ID card
– U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDS must be valid and not expired.
“They need to be prepared with one of those IDS when they go to the polls,” Finfgeld advised, underlining the importance of compliance with the new regulations to ensure voter participation.
For additional information, voters can visit the Richland County Board of Elections website at www. boe.ohio.gov/richland