Early vote figures continue their tear in Ohio's August special election

[RandySF]

Early vote totals, already surpassing expectations, have only accelerated as the August 8 election gets closer. Voters will determine whether it should be harder to approve future constitutional amendments.

Through the first seven days, about 16,000 voters showed up to cast their ballots each day. Fourteen days in, however, that average has risen to more than 18,000 a day.

Those daily figures may rise even further. Beginning this week, county boards will be open for extended hours, opening earlier and closing later.

The constitutional amendment raising the bar for all future amendments has clearly galvanized Ohio voters. Those who oppose the idea see it as an effort by conservative lawmakers insulate their political gains by wresting power from the voters. Supporters contend legislating through the constitution isn’t exactly good governance. But the loudest among them make no bones about their political calculations. To them, making it harder to amend the constitution in August, is all about making it harder to pass an abortion rights amendment in November.

A total of 255,305 people voted early in-person through last Friday — the most recent absentee report posted. For context, that’s about 118,000 more than all the early in-person votes cast during last year’s primary election. It’s also not far behind the in-person totals through a similar point in last year’s general election.




https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/08/01/early-vote-figures-continue-their-tear-in-ohios-august-special-election/