Kids Voting -- Ohio General Election Information

Ohio State General Election Information

Precincts: The Smallest Political Unit
Frequently asked questions
Click here for Hamilton County Info

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 in other counties are divided into even smaller areas called wards). And, finally, every city, township, and village of any particular state in the United States is divided into the smallest political unit of all, a precinct*.

chart

* The terms "precinct" and "election district" can be used interchangeably.

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 will be elected at the next general election and will serve the remainder of the same six year 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.

Education Service Center Governing Board a board that determines the rules and regulations of operation for this service providing agency.

Number Elected Term Length

Clermont

Municipal Court Judge 2 6 year term

Education Service Center Member 3 4 year term

Cities

Council Governing body made up of entirely at-large members. In Loveland, following the November 4^th election, council will select a mayor out of its seven members; the mayor serves as presiding officer during council meetings, and has one vote. Number Elected Term Length

Loveland

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Milford

Member of Council 3 4 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.

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.

Number Elected Term Length

Amelia

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Batavia

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Bethel

Board of Trustees Public Affairs 1 4 year term

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Chilo

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Felicity

Board of Trustees Public Affairs 1 4 year term

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Number Elected Term Length

Moscow

Mayor 1 4 year term

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Neville

Member of Council 4 4 year term

New Richmond

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Newtonsville

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Owensville

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Williamsburg

Member of Council 4 4 year term

Townships

Trustees Governing body that is responsible for creating and implementing township policy.

All of the following townships will be electing two Trustees, each of which serve a four year term:

*Batavia *Pierce

*Franklin *Stonelick

*Goshen *Tate

*Jackson *Union

*Miami *Washington

*Monroe *Wayne

*Ohio *Williamsburg

School Districts

School Board Board members are elected on a nonpartisan ballot by voters within the given school district. The board chooses its own officers. It is a policy-making body, but exercises only those powers delegated to it by state law.

The following school districts will be electing Members to the Board of Education:

Number Elected Term Length

*Batavia Local School District 3 4 year term

*Bethel-Tate Local School District 3 4 year term

*Clermont Northeastern Local 2 4 year term

School District

*Felicity Local School District 3 4 year term

*Goshen Local School District 3 4 year term

*Milford Exempted Village 3 4 year term

School District

*New Richmond Exempted Village 3 4 year term

School District

*West Clermont Local 3 4 year term

School District

*Williamsburg School District 3 4 year term

Additional Resources

Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20202

(202) 708-5366

Clermont County Board of Elections

76 South Riverside Drive

Batavia, Ohio 45103

(513) 732-7275

Clermont County Democratic Headquarters

202 East Main Street

Batavia, Ohio 45103

(513) 732-2378

Clermont County Republican Headquarters

164 East Main Street

Batavia, Ohio 45103

(513) 732-1611

International World Leaders:

Name of World Leader

(Country) Embassy

United Nations

United Nations Plaza

New York, New York 10017

Kids Voting Ohio Southwestern

35 East Seventh Street, Suite 502

Cincinnati Ohio 45202

(513) 381-VOTE

National Teenage Republican Headquarters

The President of the United States

White House Office

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20500

456-1414

The Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Supreme Court Building

1 First Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20543

(202) 479-3000

The United States House of Representatives

The Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

(202) 224-3121

The United States Senate

The Capitol

Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-3121

The Vice-President of the United States

Old Executive Office Building

Washington, DC 20503

395-2326

Young Democrats of America

c/o Democratic National Committee

430 South Capitol Street, S.E.

Washington, DC 20003

863-8000P.O. Box 1896

Manassas, VA 22110

(703) 368-4214

* The terms "precinct" and "election district" can be used interchangeably

Common Kids Voting Questions

Thank you for giving your students the opportunity to participate in the Kids Voting curriculum-we all look forward to giving them the experience of voting alongside a parent, guardian or other caring adult. Following are some questions Kids Voting is often asked by teachers, along with their corresponding answers.

Can I take my entire class to the poll in our school?

No, the program is geared to engage a parent or other adult to take each child. (In addition the Clermont County Board of Elections has requested that whole classes not be taken to a polling place due to noise and space limitations.) If you have a child who will not be able to participate, and you would like to accompany that child before or after school, please feel free to do so.

Should I discuss appropriate student behavior in the poll?

Yes, please discuss with students the need to be quiet, respectful and well behaved as they participate in Kids Voting.

What about my student who will be out of town or lives outside of Hamilton or Clermont County?

You can call the Kids Voting office at 381-VOTE for information about receiving an absentee ballot(s). Absentee ballots must be returned to the Kids Voting office (35 East Seventh Street #502, Cincinnati, OH 45202) by November 1, 1997.

Can I show a ballot to my students before election day?

Yes,

each school will receive a sample ballot to be used by teachers prior to Election Day.

Must the parent or guardian be registered to vote or be voting for the child to participate?

No, any child can vote at any Kids Voting poll and the adult need not be registered or voting themselves to accompany the student.

How old must a student be to vote without a parent or guardian?

Although we would like all students to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, middle and high school students can vote without an adult. High school students and/or classes are also encouraged to volunteer to help younger children vote.

When will we know the Kids Voting results?

Kids Voting results will be reported to the media by the Kids Voting student reporters at the Board of Elections at the same time as adult returns are reported. Several stations are committed to giving live Kids Voting updates. Results will also be made available through the Kids Voting Ohio/Southwestern website (www.cincinnati.com/kidsvoting/).

Will Kids Voting happen every year?

The Kids Voting Board of Directors has made a commitment to continue Kids Voting on a yearly basis. As the curriculum is taught yearly, children will also have the chance to vote yearly as part of the learning process.

Could Kids Voting be successful without committed teachers and schools?

No, thank you for your enthusiastic support of this program.