Good news! The end to the deluge of campaign ads, fundraising emails, junk mail from candidates and other electoral spam is almost here. But before it all goes away (for at least a few weeks until politicians start in on the 2020 election), you’ll get a chance to cast your vote in one of the most pivotal elections in recent memory for candidates and issues that could have big implications nationally and locally.
There is Ohio’s tight governor’s race, where Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine are battling for front-runner status on justice system reforms, health care and other issues. Or voters can choose from two major third-party candidates — the Green Party's Constance Gadell-Newton and the Libertarian Party's Travis Irvine.
Plus, you'll have a bevy of choices for the other statewide offices — elections for Ohio's attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer, some of which will also help determine who controls congressional and state house redistricting in 2021.
Then you have the heated battle between Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot and Democrat Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval for Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, which covers much of Hamilton and all of Warren Counties. And the fight next door in Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District between incumbent Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a Republican, and his democratic challenger Jill Schiller.
Oh, yeah, then there’s Issue 1, the ballot initiative that could reduce penalties for drug possession. And of course, there are the local issues, which could dictate how long Cincinnati City Council members stay in office and whether they can meet in executive session. Plus a U.S. Senate race, a Hamilton County Commission campaign, state representatives and senators, votes on a number of local and state-level judges and more.
Seem overwhelming? No worries. We’ve got you covered with our election guide. Click the links below for all the information you need, including links to debates and candidate forums the candidates have participated in.
You'll be able to find the hard copy version of the guide out in the world starting Oct. 31.
Early voters in Hamilton County can cast their ballots at the Hamilton County Board of Elections in Norwood. Polls in Ohio are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Polls will also open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays starting Oct. 27. All voting sites will stay open until 7 p.m. on weekdays starting Oct. 29. The schedule changes slightly the week of the election: On Sunday, Nov. 4, the BOE will be open from 1-5 p.m. and on Monday, Nov. 5, it will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Ohio Governor: Cordray vs. DeWine vs. Gadell-Newton vs. Irvine
• U.S. Senate Race: Brown vs. Renacci
• Ohio 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts: Chabot vs. Pureval, Wenstrup vs. Schiller
• Issue 1: The Right Approach for Drug Law Reform?
• Hamilton County Races: Commissioner, auditor, judges and Issue 9
