Ohio election officials say voting is “brisk” and long morning voting lines are par for the course during a high-turnout election.
Sam Rossi from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office says "no major issues" have been reported. He declined further comment about any minor issues that might have popped up.
Voting at the Northwest Chapel on Rings Road in Dublin was briefly delayed early Tuesday morning because of a power outage. Poll workers set up generators to power voting machines until around 8 a.m., when electric service was restored.
Local turnout was expected to be high for Tuesday’s election after early absentee voting in Franklin County increased about 50 percent compared to the last midterm election in 2014.
Poll workers at the Temple Beth Shalom synagogue in New Albany said about 200 people were waiting in line shortly after polls opened at 6:30 a.m., but the line was moving quickly.
What Voters Are Saying
At the Columbus Library Parsons branch, 78-year-old Joel Teaford is continuing his voting streak - he's participated in every election for the last five decades.
"I definitely would like to see changes in how the government is being run, so I voted virtually for all Democrats," Teaford said.
Health care is the biggest issue for 45-year-old Sheri Lytle, who is a cancer survivor. Though she's a registered Republican, Lytle said her vote was different this year.
"I voted strictly Democrat this time," Lytle says. "You know, the Affordable Care Act, I know a lot of people who have benefited from it. I have a lot of family members who have benefited from it. And I think the thought of taking it away is terrible."
Paul Albrecht, 63, says he didn't vote for President Trump in 2016 but thinks Trump has "generally done good things overall for the country." So he supports candidates who support Trump's policies. This year that meant Ohio governor candidate Mike DeWine.
"I think Cordray was just a little bit too far left for me," he says.
Over at Driving Park Recreation Center, 34-year-old Arrica Elliott says it's time to "clean house" in state offices. For her, that means voting Democratic.
"I feel like facts is facts and if people actually look into the facts, then that's the way they should vote," she says.
David Householder, 74, voted straight Republican at Temple Beth Shalom in New Albany. He sees this election as a referendum on President Trump.
"He's pretty outspoken, but he's got positive things done for the country so far, which I appreciate," Householder said. "We don't need a blue wave."
Things To Know
Ohio law requires voters to show ID at the polls. That can include:
- An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state ID card with present or former address, as long as your present residential address is in the official list of registered voters for that precinct;
- A military ID;
- A photo ID issued by the United States government or the State of Ohio, that contains your name and current address, and that has not passed its expiration;
- An original or copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other document with your name and present address. ("Current" means in the last 12 months.)
Voters on Tuesday are casting ballots on races for all major statewide offices, including governor. Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine remained essentially tied heading into Election Day. Ohioans are also voting on Issue 1, which seeks to cut jail time for low-level drug offenders and send more money to treatment programs.
Nationally, the midterm election brings huge stakes for both parties. Some experts have predicted a “blue wave” could mean Democrats regaining control of the House, while a Democratic takeover of the Senate seems less likely.
In Central Ohio, Democrat Danny O’Connor is once again trying to upset Republican Rep. Troy Balderson, who narrowly won an August special election to fill the Congressional seat vacated by Pat Tiberi. Republican Rep. Steve Stivers is also facing a tougher-than-expected challenge from Democrat Rick Neal.
