Columbus area voters go to polls

On By Littum

Follow the events of election day with this live blog, which will be continuously updated as voting progresses.

How was your voting experience?

As you head to the polls today, The Dispatch wants to hear from you about how it went.

How long was the line? Were there any problems? Fill out our form below to answer these questions and more. We can use your answers in our reporting.

The GOP and Dems go to the polls as observers

Republicans planned to send 240 observers to Franklin County’s 302 polling places, according to Franklin County Board of Elections spokesman Aaron Sellers.

For the Democrats, 198 observers registered.

Sellers could not say how many observers there were in previous presidential elections or whether this is the largest ever. But it is a lot, he said.

Republicans promised months ago to recruit poll watchers to monitor this November election.

Observers must not interfere with poll workers or voters, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office. They are allowed to “see and inspect” but not to touch any ballots or other “election material”. They cannot take pictures, video or record sound.

Observers cannot enforce laws, but can report their concerns to the local board of elections. On election day, observers must swear to follow the law.

Watch out for long voice lines

Several central Ohio precincts reported long lines Tuesday morning, despite many early voting.

Voting at Indianola Church of Christ in the University District is typically an in-and-out experience. This year, however, voters walked around the basement of the campus church for nearly 25 minutes waiting for a machine. A mix of university students and nearby residents waited patiently to cast their votes. One of the poll workers told those waiting that they could use a paper ballot instead of waiting for a machine, but everyone remained seated.

At Victory Hill Church in Greenfield Township in Fairfield County, about 30 people were in line when the polls opened at 6 p.m. 6:30 a.m., according to Bob Huffman, poll manager.

“It’s great to see people exercising their rights,” he said.

Huffman said the morning was busy, that the four areas of the church were running well.

Polls open

Polls opened at 6:30 this morning, giving millions of Ohioans the opportunity to cast votes for president, senator, representative and hundreds of local races across the state. Polls will remain open until 7:30 tonight.

In addition to the presidential contest with former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, Ohioans will decide between incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican businessman Bernie Moreno for the U.S. Senate in what is the most expensive non-presidential race in American history.

Other statewide questions include three Ohio Supreme Court justice seats and Question 1, which would change how maps are drawn for congressional and statehouse districts.

Voters will decide the fate of several races in Central Ohio, including a proposal to raise the sales tax by half a percent (from 0.5% to 1.0%) in the area served by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to fund mass transit improvements known as LinkUS.

What you need to vote

The rules for voting have been changed, requiring Ohioans to show valid photo identification at the polls. Acceptable IDs are:

  • Ohio driver’s license (it does not need to list the address where you are registered to vote.)
  • Ohio State ID Card
  • US passport or passport card
  • Military identification issued by the Ohio National Guard or the US government
  • US Veterans Affairs ID card
  • Temporary identification form issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

Those without valid ID will be asked to vote with a provisional ballot.

Look for updates to this live election blog throughout the day.

Broadcast reporters Mark Williams, Bob Vitale, Sheridan Hendrix, Belinda Paschal, Sophia Veneziano and Barbara Perenic contributed to this report.

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