Kids Voting -- Hamilton County, OH General Election Information

Ohio State General Election Information

Precincts: The Smallest Political Unit
Frequently asked questions
(Click here for Clermont County info)

Ohio State General Election Information

Voter Eligibility

1. Qualifications to vote: Must be a citizen of the United States.

Must be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election.
Must be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.
Must register to vote at least 30 days before the election.

2. How is residence determined?

By law your residence is the place to which, whenever you are absent, you have the intent to return. If you continuously reside outside of Ohio for a period of four years or more, you are not a resident of this state for voter registration purposes, except if you are absent from Ohio because of federal or state government employment, including military service. Leaving for temporary reasons does not result in a change of residence for voting purposes, unless you register in the area where you are currently residing.

3. Can a student vote from his or her school address?

Yes, if the student regards that place as his/her residence and registers to vote in that location. Otherwise, the student must vote in his/her home community if registered there.

Registration

1. Does everyone have to be registered?

Yes, except for members of the armed forces serving on active duty. Their spouses and dependents are also exempt if they moved to be near the service member.

2. Where can I register? At any county board of elections or the Secretary of

State's office.

At branch registration offices or locations established by a board of elections.
At any public high school or vocational school.
At the office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
At offices of designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability programs.
Public libraries.
County treasurer's office.
By mail. You may request a registration form from a board of elections or the Secretary of State's office by mail, telephone, in person or by having another person obtain it for you. After completing the form, return it to the board of elections or Secretary of State's office, either by mail or in person.

Registration forms must be postmarked and/or received by one of the above designated agencies 30 days before an election to be valid for that election.

3. Do I declare my politics when I register?

No. Under Ohio law, your party affiliation is determined by the ballot you vote in a primary election.

Voting Procedures

1. Where do I vote?

You cast your ballot at the polling place designated to serve the precinct in which you reside. If you are in doubt as to the location of this polling place, check with your county board of elections.

2. How do I vote?

Instructions on how to cast your ballot will be given by the election officials at your precinct.

3. May a voter receive assistance in voting?

Persons with a physical or mental disability or who are unable to read or write may be assisted by anyone of their own choice, except an employer or his/her agent, a union officer or a candidate whose name appears on the ballot. The voter may be assisted by two poll workers of opposing parties. No one who assists a voter may disclose any information about how that person voted.

Absentee Voting

1. You may vote by absentee ballot if: You will be absent from the county on

election day.

You are 62 years of age or older.
You or a family member will be hospitalized on election day.
You have a personal illness or physical disability.
You are an election official or board of elections employee.
You cannot vote on election day because of a religious belief.
You will be in jail for a misdemeanor or awaiting trial.
You are a full time fire fighter, peace officer or full-time provider of emergency medical services.
You are on active duty in the state with the organized militia.

2. How do I apply?

Write or go to the board of elections in your county and request an absentee ballot, giving the following information: Your name and voting residence.

The election for which you are requesting a ballot.
Your reason for being absent from the polls on election day.
If the election is a primary: your party choice or that you want an issues only ballot.
The mailing address to which you want your ballot sent.
Your signature.

Precincts: The Smallest Political Unit

What is a precinct?

As everyone knows, the United States of America is divided into 50 states. And as nearly everyone knows, each state is divided into even smaller areas called counties. In turn, each county is further divided into cities, townships and villages. Some cities are divided into smaller areas called wards. And, finally, every ward, town, and village of any particular state in the United States is divided into the smallest particular unit of all, a precinct.

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What the 1997 Adult Ballot includes

In 1997 Ohio voters will elect:

Mayors

Members of city and village councils
Members of boards of trustees of public affairs (in some villages)
Other city and village officers
Judge of municipal court (in some jurisdictions)
Clerk of municipal court (in some jurisdictions)
Township trustees (two per township)
Members of boards of education
Unexpired terms* for municipal and township offices and boards of education

*An unexpired term is one in which the person originally voted into office is not able to remain for the full term (due to an appointment to a different position, or for some other reason). The person who is elected to continue the term will only serve for the amount of time originally intended (i.e. If a judge is elected to a six year term in 1995, but must step down in 1996, the judge's replacement must stand for election for the remainder of the original term).

Counties

County Municipal Court Judge Elected by district by voters of the county. Has original jurisdiction on civil cases (auto accidents, neighbors' disputes, etc.) involving claims of $10,000 and under, and in criminal cases involving misdemeanors in the county. Conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases.

Number Elected Term Length

Hamilton

Municipal Court Judge (District 1) 1 Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/01

Municipal Court Judge (District 2) 1 Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/99

Municipal Court Judge (District 5) 1 Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/99

Municipal Court Judge (District 7) 1 Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/99

Cities

Auditor The chief fiscal officer. Accounts for revenues and expenditures, authorizes payments, inventories city owned properties, and keeps a record of all city levied taxes and assessments.

Council (Cincinnati) Governing body, which appoints a city manager who is the administrative head of the government and responsible to Council. The highest vote-getter serves as mayor.

Council at Large/by Ward A governing body made up of a combination of council members elected at-large (can be voted for by all city citizens) and by ward (only people who live in the given ward can vote for a candidate to represent that ward).

President of Council Official who presides over meetings of council. Has no vote except to break a tie.

Treasurer Serves as the banker for the city. Receives, has custody of, and pays out the city's money.

Number Elected Term Length

Blue Ash

Member Council at Large 2 2 year term

Member Council by Ward 5 2 year term

Cheviot

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 4 2 year term

Cincinnati

Member of Council 9 2 year term

Deer Park

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 4 2 year term

Forest Park

Member Council at Large 4 4 year term

Harrison

Member Council at Large 4 4 year term

Number Elected Term Length

Indian Hill

Member Council at Large 7 2 year term

Loveland (includes Clermont and Warren Counties)

Member Council at Large 4 4 year term

Madeira

Member Council at Large 4 4 year term

Montgomery

Member Council at Large 4 4 year term

Mount Healthy

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 4 2 year term

North College Hill

President of Council 1 2 year term

Auditor 1 4 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 7 2 year term

Norwood

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 6 2 year term

Reading

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 4 2 year term

Number Elected Term Length

Saint Bernard

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 4 2 year term

Sharonville (includes Butler County)

Mayor 1 Unexpired term ending 12/31/99

President of Council 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 4 year term

Member Council at Large 3 2 year term

Member Council by Wards 4 2 year term

Silverton

Mayor 1 2 year term

Clerk 1 2 year term

Treasurer 1 2 year term

Member Council at Large 6 2 year term

Springdale

Members by District 4 4 year term

Wyoming

Member Council at Large 7 2 year term

Villages

Board of Trustees of Public Affairs A three member board of trustees that manages the utilities (water, sanitary sewer, and electricity). The board employs a clerk who keeps its records and performs assigned tasks.

Clerk The elected village clerk is the chief fiscal officer. The duties are similar to those performed by an elected city auditor. Keeps the minutes of the council meetings and has custody of village records.

Council Governing body made up of entirely at-large members.

Mayor Serves as presiding officer during council meetings. Has no veto power and cannot vote except to break a tie.

Treasurer Receives, has custody of, and pays out the village's money. Some village councils combine the clerk and treasurer positions.

Number Elected Term Length

Addyston