Voting our Community Health Values: Election Day is Around the Corner
Election Day is Tuesday November 5th, and polls will be open that day 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For those of us who care about community health, this year’s election offers many opportunities to weigh in on the issues that matter to us in southwest Ohio and throughout the state.
In Hamilton County we’ll decide whether to renew two levies. Prop 34 funds family services and treatment programs, and Prop 35 provides resources to programs for those with developmental disabilities. All Ohioans will be asked to decide Issue 1, which determines how the state’s legislative district maps are drawn. Supporters of the initiative, including the League of Women Voters, say Issue 1 will end gerrymandering, or the “purposeful manipulation of boundary lines to favor a political party.” Of course, the candidates for President and U.S. Congress, as well as the state’s legislature and Supreme Court have very different stances on a variety of health care matters, including reproductive and maternal health. Be sure to educate yourself on the issues and candidates’ platforms before you cast your vote.
Hamilton County voters can find a sample ballot here, and all counties’ sample ballots are available on the Secretary of State’s site. In addition to knowing what you’ll be asked to vote for, it’s important to understand the various ways we can go about casting our ballot. The first step is to confirm that you’re registered to vote. The window to register is closed and Ohio doesn’t allow same-day registration, so it’s a good idea to check your registration status now. And before you head to the polls, make sure you know what form of identification you should bring.
If you’re eager to fulfill your civic duty and don’t want to wait until Election Day, you have options. You can vote early in person until Sunday, November 3rd. Find out where to do that on the Secretary of State’s site. Details for Hamilton County can be found here. Any registered voter in Ohio can request an absentee ballot. That request must be made by Tuesday, October 29th, and the ballot must be postmarked by Monday, November 4th if returned by mail or returned in person Tuesday, November 5.
Let’s remember the role we can play to shape our collective future and safeguard our access to quality healthcare.
