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Board of Elections reports early voting status; turnout low ahead of May 5 primary
Summary
Board of Elections Director Heather McDermott told commissioners early in‑person voting was underway with turnout just under 4% and projected overall turnout under 30% for the May 5 primary; she outlined ballot contents and referenced Ohio Revised Code guidance for petition matters.
Board of Elections Director Heather McDermott briefed the Medina County commissioners on April 28 about the status of early voting and the structure of the May 5 primary ballot. She reported early voting turnout stood at just under 4% at the time of the meeting and projected early/absentee turnout between 7–10% and overall turnout under 30%.
McDermott said the ballot contains candidates for U.S. Senate (unexpired term), Governor, Attorney General, Auditor of State and various countywide offices. Only two issues appear in county precincts: a police levy in Brunswick Hills Township and an income tax levy in Wadsworth City School District. She clarified that Ohio does not have formal independent party registration; voters requesting a party ballot are indicating participation in that party’s nominating process.
She told the board that early voting continues April 30 and May 1 with extended hours, and that Election Day is May 5 with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; mail ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. She noted 886 mail ballots were outstanding at the time of the meeting and urged residents to use the absentee lookup on the Board of Elections website. McDermott referenced Ohio Revised Code 5705.27 and the Ohio Questions and Submissions Handbook (Template 94) when discussing petition and ballot‑submission procedures and said the board is coordinating with the Secretary of State and the Prosecutor’s Office on compliance matters related to a separate petition initiative.
