Top races
Less than half the races in Butler and Warren counties today are contested
The ruling bodies in the largest two cities in Butler County could change. There are eight candidates for three Hamilton City Council seats. Only two of the three incumbents are seeking re-election, a former city council member is looking to return to the board, and a former Statehouse candidate is seeking a seat.
Middletown has contested races for mayor and city council. Mayor Larry Mulligan is being challenged by Nicole Condrey, and only one of the two incumbents is seeking re-election in the five-candidate council race.
Other contested races include Fairfield Twp. trustee and fiscal officer, Madison Local School District board Monroe City Council and Talawanda Local Schools board.
You learn about all the contested races and tax issues in the region through our interactive online voter guide at Journal-News.com/voterguide.
Low turnout expected
Election officials believe today’s election will have few participants. About 25 percent of the approximately 244,000 registered to vote will participate.
There were 3,642 voters who cast a ballot at the Butler County Board of Elections from Oct. 8 through Monday afternoon, according to unofficial elections data. There were 2,692 issued absentee ballots issued with 1,992 returned, according to the unofficial data.
Are you registered to vote?
Visit MyOhioVote.com to find out if you are registered to vote. You can also contact your local board of elections. In Butler County, call 513-887-3700. In Warren County, call 513-695-1358.
If you are not registered, you are not eligible to vote in this election but you can register online today to vote in the March 2020 presidential primary.
Absentee ballots
If you requested an absentee ballot and still possess it, you have two options.
You can drop it off at the Butler County Board of Elections, 1802 Princeton Road in Hamilton, or Warren County Board of Elections, 502 Justice Drive in Lebanon). Do not bring them to your polling location.
If you want to vote on Election Day at your polling location, because you requested an absentee ballot you must vote by way of a provisional ballot. Provisional votes will be counted during the official run of the election, which can begin as early as 11 days after Election Day.
Bring your ID
Voters planning to cast their ballot in-person on Election Day should remember to bring proper identification. The forms of identification that may be used by a voter who appears at a polling place to vote on Election Day include:
• An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card with present or former address so long as the voter’s present residential address is printed in the official list of registered voters for that precinct
• A military identification
• A photo identification that was issued by the United States government or the State of Ohio, that contains the voter’s name and current address and that has an expiration date that has not passed
• An original or copy (physical or digital on a cellphone) of a current utility bill with the voter’s name and present address
• An original or copy (physical or digital) of a current bank statement with the voter’s name and present address
• An original or copy of a current government check with the voter’s name and present address
• An original or copy of a current paycheck with the voter’s name and present address
• An original or copy of a current other government document (other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections) that shows the voter’s name and present address.
For utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks, and other government documents, “current” is defined as within the last 12 months. “Utility bill” includes a cell phone bill.
“Other government document” includes license renewal and other notices, fishing and marine equipment operator’s license, court papers, or grade reports or transcripts. “Government office” includes any local (including county, city, township, school district and village), state or federal (United States) government office, branch, agency, commission, public college or university or public community college, whether or not in Ohio.
About the Author
