Written by: Evie Gravlin (emg004@marietta.edu)
Voting is a wonderful way to express your input of how our country should be ran. Voting gives people a voice and helps ensure that leaders and policies reflect their will. Voting can impact your family’s future and your everyday life, and one vote can decide it all. Even if you are not voting for yourself, vote for someone who may not have the privilege to vote.
To be eligible to vote you need to be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old on or before the next general election. In the state of Ohio, you will need to be a resident of the state for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which you want to vote. Also to be eligible, one must not be incarcerated for a felony conviction under the laws of Ohio, another state, or the United States. Furthermore, one must have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court and have not been permanently denied the right to vote for violations of the election laws.
What are precincts and why are they important?
A precinct is a geographic area used for organizing elections. This is where voters are assigned to a certain polling place, and each area has its own set of ballots depending on the local candidates and issues in the same area. This helps to make the voting process smooth and ensures voters that they are casting ballots for the right races and measures.
What is absentee voting?
Absentee voting is voting through mail instead of going to a polling place. This is helpful for people unable to vote in person for several reasons including being overseas, in another state, or unable to make it to the polling place on November 5th.
To take part in absentee voting, you first request a ballot, and voters need to request it from their local election office. Once the request is processed, you will receive the ballot by mail. When it is completed, you will mail it back or drop it off at the election office at your designated location.
By having the privilege to vote you can impact our country with your input of how our country should be ran. By having the knowledge of these voting facts, you are equipped and ready to participate in this voting season. You can make a change with how you want our country to be run by voting because every vote counts!
Edited by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
