Primary election to be conducted by mail

Ohioans will have a primary election process with certainty, says state representative D.J. Swearingen, in light of the uncertainty wrought by the coronavirus.
The General Assembly recently approved relief legislation that addresses the impact of the virus, including the decision by Gov. Mike DeWine to delay the primary election that had been scheduled for March 17.
“Sadly, Ohioans were unable to vote in person,” Rep. Swearingen said, but the bill approved last week by the General Assembly and signed by the governor covers how the election will be conducted.
Those who voted early will have their votes counted and those who didn’t vote and were eligible may cast ballots by mail. The ballots must be returned to county boards of elections by April 28 or postmarked by April 27.
“The Ohio Secretary of State will be mailing all voters a postcard informing them on how they will be able to vote and request their ballot by mail from their local county board of elections,” Swearingen said. “However, you do not need to wait for the postcard to arrive to request a ballot. At this time, you can download your absentee ballot application from the Ohio Secretary of State website or you can also call your local board of elections to request one.”
After applications are sent to local boards, they will be processed and ballots will be mailed to voters with postage paid return envelopes.
Swearingen said in-person voting will be available only at county board offices on April 28 for persons with disabilities and those who don’t have a home mailing address.
Voters who don’t have printing capabilities should contact their county board office to request an application form. Request forms are also being made available outside the offices.
Voters must designate the ballot type they want on their application; Democrat, Libertarian, Republican or issues only.