Meigs Board of Elections advises voters of upcoming deadlines and times for early voting

POMEROY – The Meigs County Board of Elections is preparing for the upcoming November election and is informing voters of a few changes along with important dates and deadlines.

In a statement released by the board, citizens are encouraged to participate in the upcoming election, “We would like to take this opportunity to remind all Meigs County registered voters to get out and make your voice heard this Presidential Election, either at your regular voting precinct on Election Day or at the Meigs County Board of Elections office located at 113 E. Memorial Drive in Pomeroy prior to Election Day.”

Registered voters living in the East and West Chester Precincts will no longer be voting at Karr’s Contracting on State Route 7. Voters in the two precincts will now be voting at the Chester United Methodist Church located on State Route 248.

The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 9 p.m. for the November 8, 2016 General Election. Voter registration will still be available after October 11, but not to vote in the upcoming General Election.

Absentee voting and/or early voting will begin on Tuesday, October 12, 2016 and will continue on a daily basis at the Meigs County Board of Elections at their new location at 113 E. Memorial Dr., Pomeroy, OH 45769.

However, on Monday, October 10, 2016, the Meigs County Board of Elections will be closed in observance of Columbus Day which is a state holiday.

The hours for early voting are as follows:
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 through Friday, October 14, 2016, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, October 17, 2016 through Friday, October 21, 2016, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, October 24, 2016 through Friday, October 28, 2016, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 29, 2016, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 2016, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, October 31, 2016 through Friday, November 4, 2016, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 5, 2016, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 6, 2016, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, November 7, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Any registered voter in the county may request and vote an absentee voter’s ballot (or provisional ballot beginning October 12, 2016) in person during these business hours. Registered voters may also call the Meigs County Board of Elections at (740)992-2697 to request an Absentee Application so they can send an Absentee Ballot by mail.

The Meigs County Board of Elections has noted that there appears to be a lot of confusion as to when the Absentee Ballots are counted. Contrary to popular belief, the ballots are actually processed prior to Election Day according to Ohio Law. The ballots are scanned prior to Election Day (this process can begin 10 days before the election), but not tabulated. This means that the totals are not available until election night. Absentee voters are a part of the “unofficial count” on election night. Valid absentee ballots that are received after the close of polls on Election Day (postmarked by November 7, 2016) through the tenth day after the election are included in the official canvas.

Provisional ballots are the ballots that do not get counted until after Election Day, but are included in the official canvas if certified as valid. Voting a provisional ballot means that the voter has moved within the county and changed their voting precinct or has moved from another county in the State of Ohio. If the voter has requested an absentee ballot, has no identification, refuses to provide identification or if the voter’s right to vote is challenged are just a few more reasons that a provisional ballot is required.