Early voting for the November 5 general election opened Tuesday, and Franklin County residents can now cast absentee ballots either in person or by mail.
The early voting center at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Rd., will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through October 25. The facility will, however, be closed on Columbus Day (Monday, October 14).
In-person early voting will also run October 28 to November 1 between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, November 2 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Sunday, November 3 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), and Monday, November 4 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
The easiest way to apply for a by-mail absentee ballot is through the board of elections website. You can also download and complete a blank ballot application.
By-mail absentee ballots must be requested by noon on Saturday, November 2, and postmarked by Monday, November 4. Completed absentee ballots can also be dropped off at the board of elections until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. You can track your absentee ballot online at FranklinCountyVotes.com.
Included on this year's general election ballot is a 10-year renewal of Franklin County Children’s Services’ expiring 3.1-mill levy. FCCS receives the majority of its funding from a pair of staggered, 10-year property tax levies – a 1.9-mill levy last renewed by voters in 2014 and the 3.1-mill levy that expires this year.
"There will be no additional costs to taxpayers with the renewal levy," Franklin County budget director Zak Talarek told the Columbus Dispatch in July.
Franklin County residents can use the county auditor's levy estimator to gauge the impact of the FCCS levy renewal on their property tax bill. County auditor Michael Stinziano released an updated version of this online tool in April.
For those planning to vote in person on November 5, polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hilliard City Schools will be closed on election day.
The board of elections makes it easy to check your registration, print a sample ballot, and look up your polling location. Before heading to the polls, you should also familiarize yourself with Franklin County's new voting equipment, which the board of elections debuted during the spring primary election.
Related posts:
- Franklin County voters likely to decide on children’s services renewal levy this Nov. (07/05/19)
- Video: Franklin County's new voting machines (05/02/19)
- Updated tax levy estimator available from auditor's office (04/10/19)
- Franklin County polling places will feature new equipment, different procedures come May (02/12/19)
This post has been updated to include information on election day polling location hours and to note that Hilliard City Schools will be closed on November 5.
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