JEFFERSON —
Hundreds of votes cast in Tuesday’s general election are getting extra-special attention from Ashtabula County Board of Elections staff.
They are provisional ballots — 1,361 of them — and they require lots of scrutiny before they are added to the county’s final totals. Election board workers have already spent two days examining the provisionals, and their work may not be complete until the end of next week, said Carol Lovas, election board director.
The outcome of a handful of very tight races may hinge on the provisionals — or at the very least determine whether recounts are ahead.
People are given provisional ballots for a number of reasons; most couldn’t produce the identification required at their polling place or showed up to vote at a different precinct. Each provisional requires laborious checking and cross-referencing to make sure the voter is legitimate, Lovas said. Signatures on file are examined, as well as polling books, she said.
“It takes time and work to go through every single one separately,” Lovas said.
The study could be complete by Friday, when the election board plans to meet to formally certify the provisional ballots. The board is scheduled to meet again on Nov. 27 to certify all the ballots — mail-in, in-person and provisional — from last week’s election. Those results will determine whether automatic recounts will happen, Lovas said.
Temporary employees have been hired to help speed up the provisional review, Lovas said. The process can be occasionally monitored by representatives from both political parties, she said.
At least one candidate race, the Eastern County Court battle between incumbent Judge Robert Wynn and attorney Gary Pasqualone, could result in a recount. Wynn won by only 133 votes (out of 20,651 ballots cast). The Jefferson Area Local Schools district’s five-year 2-mill was defeated by just 53 votes, 2,669-2,616. Also in the Jefferson area, a referendum authorizing the village to acquire the former Jefferson Elementary School and transform it into a police station passed by just five votes, 639-634.
Local News
Ashtabula County provisional count is slow but steady
Election staff studies each ballot carefully
- Local News
-
-
Local group proposes charter form of Ashtabula County government
County government could see a big change if a local group is successful in getting a proposed charter form of government on the November ballot.
-
Black bear takes a stroll on Ashtabula street
“Once upon a time, there were three bears ...”
-
Happy ending in Cleveland gives hope to Ashtabula County people seeking missing loved ones
The amazing rescue of three Cleveland women held captive for 10 years is proof one can never stop searching for a missing person, local law enforcement officials said.
-
Kingsville Public Library creative writing class honors Suzanne Byerley at reading
Chuck Becker’s voice was strong and clear as he read the words of his dear friend Suzanne Hartman Byerley.
-
Conneaut’s two museums ready for holiday openings
Conneaut’s two historical museums are ready to reopen this holiday weekend, a sure sign of summer’s arrival.
-
GOTL tourist, author to sign books Saturday
With a hot dog in one hand and a pen in the other, tourist turned author Wendy Koile will sign copies of her historical reference “Geneva-on-the-Lake: A History of Ohio’s First Summer Resort” at Eddie’s Grill on Saturday.
-
GOTL to host monster carnival starting this evening
Geneva Township Park will benefit from a monster of a carnival this weekend, complete with bands, rides and food.
-
Ashtabula County commissioners award local firm bid for Harpersfield booster station project
A local firm was awarded the bid for the Harpersfield Township booster station project, Tuesday.
-
Jefferson hires new leader for schools
The Jefferson Area Local School District completed its search for a superintendent Tuesday, hiring one of its own to lead the district.
-
Ashtabula County gets a new logo
The Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been working for the past year on developing a brand for the county, and Wednesday, that brand was revealed.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Local group proposes charter form of Ashtabula County government
