Another Successful Ohio Election
On Tuesday, Ohio once again executed another successful election. As Ohioans, we should all be grateful for the tens of thousands of civic-minded, patriotic poll workers across the state who worked tirelessly to deliver another election that Ohioans have come to expect -- one that is accessible and convenient and secure from fraud. Ohio's elections have become the gold standard nationally because our professional, dedicated boards of elections and poll workers perform exceptionally regardless of the circumstances.
Leading up to Tuesday's Election Day, Ohioans set a high-water mark in early voting versus any comparable election cycle. Prior to Tuesday, 301,837 absentee ballots were requested by-mail or in-person and 263,542 votes were cast statewide. These numbers surpass 2018’s total of 300,765 absentee ballots requested through the end of the early voting period and 260,443 total early votes cast. Clearly, Ohioans are increasingly embracing the convenient options available to them allowing them to participate in our democratic process on their own preferences and schedules.
While we wait for the official canvass later this month, unofficial results suggest that voter turnout outpaced comparable election cycles on Tuesday. The average turnout across the eighty-eight counties was 23.8% -- compared to 21.8% in May of 2018 -- and fifty-five counties experienced a higher turnout in this election than in the 2018 primary.
“Overall early voting in this primary election has now surpassed the most comparable primary election in 2018, said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. "Political prognosticators are welcome to theorize its significance, but it’s clear Ohio voters have faith in our secure, accurate, and accessible election system.”
Ohio Voters Don't Have to Choose Between Accessibility and Security
This election season, Ohio voters enjoyed nearly 200 hours of early voting in the May 3rd primary. Ohio is one of 18 states that allows voting on a Saturday and one of just six states that allows early voting on a Sunday. Ohio’s early voting period is 21% longer than the national average.
Of the 42 states that run a traditional absentee voting system, a comprehensive review by the Brookings Institute determined no state does it better than Ohio. SOURCE: www.brookings.edu/research/voting-by-mail-in-a-pandemic-a-state-by-state-scorecard/.
Absentee voting in Ohio is time-tested and has strong security checks in place. Ohioans have utilized absentee voting for two decades, and that has allowed Ohio to put in place both the laws and processes necessary to make absentee voting secure against fraud.
- Voter identification and signature are checked TWICE during the process
- Voter list maintenance allows for accurate voter rolls
- Ballot harvesting is against the law in Ohio
- Voters are able to track their ballot on VoteOhio.gov/Track.
These requirements and processes, as well as strict laws against voter fraud, have made absentee voting secure in Ohio and instances of voter fraud exceedingly rare in our state. Learn more about how Ohio keeps our elections secure by visiting ElectionSecurity.Ohio.gov.
Collaborating with Ohio's Boards of Elections
On Monday, the day before the primary, Secretary LaRose visited the boards of elections in Hamilton and Montgomery counties to check in on their preparedness and offer his support as they readied for Tuesday's primary.
In his effort to provide full transparency of how elections are administered, the Secretary invited the press into the boards to learn more about Ohio's proven bipartisan election administration process.
Learn more about his Hamilton County Board of Elections visit.
Coverage of the Secretary's visit to the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Ohio Business Spotlight Recognizes Ohio's Home and Garden Entrepreneurs for the Month of May
As the flowers start to bloom, the days get longer, and the weather gets a little warmer, Ohioans look to home and garden entrepreneurs for help in beautifying their yards and communities. Whether you need a new back patio, some lawn care equipment, fertilizer, or an innovative solution for keeping leaves out of your rain gutters, these six businesses have your back.
Some of these businesses have been around for several generations, and each year they help Ohioans get their homes ready for summer.
“There’s something so rewarding about gathering the family together on a Saturday morning and working on the yard,” said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. “Ohio is fortunate to have creative and hardworking entrepreneurs that provide the resources and the services Ohioans need to brighten up their spring.”
If you have a dream of opening a business or becoming an entrepreneur, head to OhioSoS.gov/Business for more information.
Businesses in the Spotlight
- Feasel’s Garden Center – Findlay, Hancock County
- Scotts Miracle Gro – Marysville, Union County
- Raines Farms and Greenhouses – Seaman, Adams County
- The Black Barn – Lebanon, Warren County
- LeafFilter – Hudson, Summit County
- Stoller Lawn and Garden – Orrville, Wayne County
Learn more about the Ohio businesses highlighted in May.
Additional Meetings
On Wednesday, Secretary LaRose met with the German Consul General to discuss relations between Germany and the US, including civil society, regional and municipal cooperation, business and cultural relations.
On Friday, the Secretary delivered the keynote address to the Ohio Association of Public Safety Directors at the OAPSD's annual conference.
Also on Friday, the Secretary met with local business and community leaders at Maker Space in Lima to discuss entrepreneurship and new economic development projects in the region.
In Case You Missed It
On Monday, Secretary LaRose went in-studio with 700 WLW's legendary Bill Cunningham. Listen to his interview.
Secretary LaRose is joined by WLW's Bill Cunningham and Seg Dennison.