JEFFERSON —
Hundreds of people have already had their say on issue on a special Aug. 7 ballot, and the election is still more than two weeks away.
More than 700 people had already cast a vote by Friday afternoon, a possible indicator of strong interest in the money issues on the ballot, said Carol Lovas, Ashtabula County Board of Elections director.
“If the early voting is any indication, we could be busy on Election Day,” she said.
Early voters weigh in on the issues either by mailing in a ballot they requested or by visiting the Election Board office in Jefferson. Absentee ballot applications are available online at www.electionsonthe.net. The office at 8 W. Walnut St., Jefferson is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Eighty-one of the county’s 127 precincts are impacted by one or some of the four issues on the ballot, officials have said. They are:
n Geneva on the Lake — income tax increase from 1 percent to 1.5 percent for general operations
n Ashtabula Area City Schools — additional 6.4 mills for five years
n Geneva Area City Schools — additional 4.9 mills for 10 years
n Jefferson Area Local Schools — additional 11.9 mills for 10 years
Cost of the special election will be paid by GOTL and the three school districts.
Early voting creates more work for staff who must process application requests and arrange ballot mailings, plus handle voters who come to the office, Lovas said. “And we’ve been doing it without any extra help,” she said.
But if the result is to increase participation in elections, the effort is worthwhile, Lovas said.
“We’re here to serve,” she said. “We want everyone to vote.”
Local News
Early voting turnout may signal strong election interest
- Local News
-
-
Fifth man in Ashtabula murder case pleads guilty to kidnapping
Now it’s five out of six.
-
Walnut Beach restrooms and concessions will be ready in time for summer
They are working on the restrooms at the Walnut Beach concession stand in preparation for the summer season, but the city still is looking for a concessionaire, City Manager Jim Timonere said.
-
Catholic community saddened by loss of the Rev. Charles Poore
The Catholic community is mourning the loss the Rev. Charles Poore, who lost his battle with cancer Thursday.
-
A bit of the farm may come to Ashtabula's Main Avenue
Rich red tomatoes, bright green peppers and farm fresh eggs — this is what the Downtown Ashtabula Farmers’ Market envisions for Main Avenue.
-
Blessing of the Fleet is tonight at Ashtabula Harbor Public Dock
The tradition of blessing area mariners began more than 60 years ago in the Ashtabula Harbor.
-
Conneaut’s school board honors employees, retirees
Several Conneaut teachers and a handful of retirees received accolades at Wednesday night’s Conneaut Board of Education meeting.
-
Saybrook Township firefighters receive federal grant for equipment
Saybrook Township Fire Department was awarded $41,510 in federal funding to purchase new equipment.
-
Pairings inks lease agreement, gets new sponsor
It’s been an eventful week fo the Pairings Wine and Culinary Experience, director Jennifer Brown said, as the wine and food center became the pending leasee of the former Geneva Elementary property and gained another major sponsor.
-
Plymouth Township man dies in backhoe accident
A Garrison Road man, known as an avid outdoorsman, died in a backhoe accident while working in his yard Wednesday night, authorities said.
-
Track/field facility could see start soon in Conneaut
Nearly a generation of Conneaut scholastic track athletes have never known a home meet, thanks to a course that fell short of state requirements. That could change next year.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Fifth man in Ashtabula murder case pleads guilty to kidnapping
