Deadlines set for mail-in primary ballots

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer

It’s a primary election unlike any other in Ohio history.

The 2020 presidential primary was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. Early voting had already taken place and the polls were scheduled to be open for in-person voting on the third Tuesday of the month, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.

After a Columbus judge blocked a last-minute attempt by Governor Mike DeWine to postpone the election for health and safety reasons, Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton signed an order to close all polling places around the state.

The primary election was initially rescheduled for June 2, but was later changed by Ohio lawmakers to April 28, which seemed to add to the confusion. In addition, it was determined that all balloting would be done exclusively by mail.

“All boards across the entire state were in limbo, even up to the morning of March 17 until Monday, March 31, when voting by mail began,” Van Wert County Board of Elections Deputy Director Brenda Weaver said.

When the official order to postpone the election came down, 2,198 early/absentee ballots had been cast by registered voters in Van Wert County, and more have come in since it was determined the revised voting would be done by mail only.

“Since Monday, March 30, when the Secretary of State (Frank LaRose) allowed requests to start being sent, the Van Wert County Board of Elections has already processed 2,112 applications for ballot requests that are being returned daily,” Weaver explained.

The deadline to return mail-in ballots is rapidly approaching and Weaver noted there is still some confusion about the process.

“The biggest area of confusion is that our board needs an application to be filled out before we can issue a ballot,” Weaver said. “Absentee applications must be filled out and returned to our office no later than noon on Saturday, April 25, for us to process a ballot request, and completed ballots must be returned to our office no later than Tuesday, April 28, for a ballot to be counted.”

“All ballots will be tabulated on April 28 and totaled at the official close of the election at 7:31 p.m.,” Weaver added. “The unofficial results will be released as soon as possible that evening when the Secretary of State allows.

Results will become official once certified by the Van Wert County Board of Elections, a process that should occur within two weeks of the election.

Applications for a ballot can be obtained online at VoteOhio.gov or by calling the board of elections office and requesting a form. Anyone who voted before March 17 need not submit a request for another ballot.

Weaver said that, due to the COVID-19 situation, the Van Wert County Board of Elections Office has been working six days a week, 10-12 hours a day, with a limited staff of two, with board members and clerk helping to process applications and ballots in the most timely manner possible.

“In trying to stay within reduced contact, our office at 1362 E. Ervin Road in Van Wert is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” Weaver said. “We also have a secure drop box on the Jennings Road side of our building, and our phone number is 419.238.4192.”

Local primary races on the Republican ballot include incumbent Van Wert County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Taylor and challenger Scott Gordon and the race for Van Wert County Treasurer between Jeff McIntosh and Jerry Mazur.

A .35-mill renewal levy for the Van Wert County Ohio State University Extension program is on the ballot as well.