Deadline for Primary Election Registration Nears
By: Rhyann Green
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Organizations across Athens are helping register citizens to vote as the deadline for the upcoming primary election on March 17 in Ohio draws near.
The deadline to register to vote in Ohio is Feb. 18. Voters can update their address online or by completing a written form and sending it to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
The Ohio University Student Senate set up a table outside Baker University Center with registration forms for students to fill out. Volunteers also answered questions about this year’s census.
Senator for Governmental Affairs Maddie Kramer said it is important to vote.
“If you don’t vote, then your voice isn’t heard, and our population needs that, especially down here in Athens we need food stamps, we need debt relief programs, so voting is a good way to make sure they’re not cutting things that might help you,” she said.
The Director of the Athens County Board of Elections Debbie Quivey said her office began preparing for the election almost immediately after the last election concluded in November.
“We really never had a period where we were not in an election,” she said.
Quivey said she expects many people to participate.
“I’m anticipating a big turn out for a primary because there are a lot of people on the democratic (ballot) and this is a democratic county,” she said.
However, voters may still choose to select a republican or independent ballot for the election. The BOE will be open until 9 p.m. on Feb. 18 to update voter registrations.
Quivey also explained the process of provisional voting. If a resident was previously registered in Ohio but failed to update their address by the deadline, they may still complete a provisional ballot on election day or in person at the Board of Elections office.
Early voting begins Feb. 19.