Citizenship: Update Your Ohio Voter Address Online!

If you're anything like me, you've slowly gotten used to the idea that you can do almost anything online.  Post office lets you forward or hold your mail online.  You can renew your car's registration online.  File taxes.  Pay bills.  Change addresses, update phone numbers, and other contact info for almost everything.

Also, if you're anything like me, you've moved in the last 4 years and realized, "Dammit, I need to go to the library/school/post office/whatever, get a form, and mail in my change of address so I can vote."  And you've gotten grumpy, because the Secretary of State office is so far behind the times.

Well be grumpy no more.  Now you can update the address on your voting record with a simple online form!

Here's what you do:

• Go to the Secretary of State's webpage, and select the "Elections and Voting."
• Direct link
• There's a lot of cool stuff on this page about elections, so I'd bookmark it.  For our purposes, find "Voters" in the top left corner of the collage and click it.
• Again, a LOT of good stuff here.  You can find the ID requirements, an FAQ, early and absentee voting info...browse it all at your leisure.
• For now, click "Change MY Address Online"
• A new tab/page will open
• You've got 2 options
• Update online (in Green)
• Update manually (in Red)
• Do you see what they did there?
• Once you click "Click Here to Continue" you'll be prompted to enter some information, so they can make an accurate match to your voting record
• Driver's license number
• Your last name, as it appeared when you registered to vote/changed your registration
• Date of birth
• Last 4 of your Social Security number
• From there, you'll see what they have listed as your current address, and the fields to fill in to change it
• Editor's note: Phone number and e-mail address are optional, and I left mine blank. I get enough harassment from candidates and activists as it is.
• The next page will show you the finished product
• make sure it looks right and either 
• go back and fix it or 
• confirm it
• Once you submit the change, you'll have the usual page dedicated to you affirming your eligibility to vote
• You'll see a message at the end telling you the change has been forwarded to the proper authorities for processing.  My guess is once it's official, you'll receive one of those little post cards
• When/if I get mine I'll update this portion ;-)

This is just for Ohio, mind you.  I know there are states out there without any online system in place, so make absolutely sure it's a real application you're using before punching in a bunch of personal info--scammers love to cash in on our need for convenience.

*** UPDATE 9/17/12 ***

Yes, the Board of Election sent in a confirmation card like usual.  Tho ironically, this doesn't qualify as proof you live at that address...

Ohio Primary is March 6th

Just a heads up, the Ohio Primary is on March 6th.  It's a lil late to be registering to vote in the primary (Ohio Election Law says you need to be registered 30 days prior to the election date).

However, if you need to register to vote, change you address, verify your registration, vote absentee, or any number of any other questions the Ohio Secretary of State website has a handy page full of useful links.

Not sure where to vote?  That's more a county Board of Elections issue.  However, you can easily find the site for your local Board of Elections on this handy webpage.

Registering to Vote

This one's a lil late, thanks to a bunch of visitors from out of town and a brutal work schedule that let publishing the post slip my mind.  Sorry!

***

Here I'm gonna reference an old post of mine, 'cause the first step in an election is actually being registered to vote.  Unless you're planning on waiting in line to be turned away by a cranky old lady in November, you gotta be registered.

Elections are on November 2nd this year, which means the Franklin County (or your appropriate County) Board of Elections needs to get your registration form by October 2nd.  Don't be late, or all sorts of hell will break loose.

(The post on how to register to vote is accurate, except for one detail: I linked to the Hamilton County Board of Elections, since that's where I lived at the time.)

To Vote or Not to Vote

So the issue is voting in the primary. Because of the Ohio voting laws, I can vote as an independent but will be affiliated with the party I vote with. For example, I want to vote for Obama for the Democratic nomination. That's fine, I can do that. But it makes my party affiliation "Democrat."

My dilemma is I don't want to BE affiliated with a party. Even for the nomination process. My girlfriend made the point today that if I don't vote, I can't complain about who's on the slate.

I usually feel ok complaining, because it's wrapped up long before I could even think about this problem. However, with the way this years race is going Ohio is a key state for the Democratic campaign. Huckabee is still hanging in there, and you should all know my thoughts on Huckabee.

While normally I'm all about the "JUST FRIGGEN VOTE" position, I can't reconcile that with becoming affiliated with a party. I do not want to support a two party system that discourages compromise.

So...I don't know. Part of me wants to vote, since Hilary seems to be making a stand here. Or maybe for McCain, just to make sure it isn't just the Evangelicals in the state (think Gay Marriage Ban) voting.

But there's another part of me that says I don't wanna affiliate with a party, because it's not what I'm all about.

We'll see how these things play out by next Tuesday. Also, now that somehow an "O" in my last name became an "A," I'm not sure I could vote if I wanted to. Meh!

...And Now for Some News...

Mourning for Sugary Refinery Victims, from NPR

Turkish Troops Enter Iraq, from BBC

Ohio Battling Emerald Ash Borer, from WCBE

Electronic Voting

So Cuyahoga County has an idea where it will have everyone fill out a ballot card, collect them at all precincts, then send them into a central location for scanning and counting. That's all a result of the issues they've had in the past w/ the on-site machines being FUBARed.

The ACLU is against this idea basically because it doesn't allow voters a chance to correct their ballots if they mess up. They suggest scanning them immediately at the voting site. That's how I've voted in the past...fill out the paper ballot w/ ink, then feed it into the scanning machine. That provides the paper trail AND the ease of electronic votes.

I think the ACLU has a good point. I'd hate to find out (or not, rather would be the case) that I'd messed up my ink job and lost my vote. Revolutions have started over things like that. The best solution is probably for Cuyahoga to get on the ball like the rest of the state, give up their touch screens, and scan the ballots at the voting stations.

Some people just don't like the idea at all...they don't trust the machines, the software, any of it. They think the old punch cards work better. Personally, I think the electronic ones DO pose a slightly higher risk for fraud (look at "Man of the Year") but then again, paper ballots let George Bush steal the election.

It's like anything else electronic, in my opinion. People assume the worst, that never happens.

...And Now for Some News...

Wisconsin Next Battle Ground for Hillary and Barack, from NPR

911 turned 40 Sunday, from NPR

Pakistan Parliamentary Elections Today, from BBC

EU to Meet in Response to Kosovo Independence, from BBC

Ohio a Do-or-Die State for Clinton, from Ohio NPR via WCBE

Cincinnati Fire Dept Accredited to Train Paramedics In-House, from WVXU

Your Ohio Primary

ok...so I've moved to a whole different end of the state. That's kinda disturbing on some levels...but not, on others. But I'm still in Ohio, so thankfully many of my links are still valid. Changing them is the next big project I have.

But today, I wanna look into the primary. When it is, who can vote, etc etc. Let's go consult Google.

By a round-a-bout way, I found this handy dandy schedule. This guy has some pretty nifty graphics, so it's a bit better than my postage. Not a bad site on the whole...go check it out!

This tells us that Ohio has a joint primary (both Democratic and Republican parties hold primary elections the same day) on March 4th. This is after super-Tuesday, so it makes our primary even more irrelevant than most...kinda sad.

I believe the best way to investiage the how-tos of a primary is through the Ohio offices of the parties...so lets go back to Google.

The Ohio Democratic Website really kinda sucks. A lot. They don't even have the March 4 primary listed on their events calendar. In fact, they barely mention the primary at all. They do have a pretty robust information base in general terms, however.

The Ohio Republican Website is flashier, and better and getting their message out, but has even less real info. The national GOP website doesn't look so barren of info, and I was referred to it a few times...but I was looking for information on the Ohio primary. Didn't find it, and the GOP didn't list the primary with their events either.

I'm kinda disappointed in both these groups. Remind me why I'm registered Independent?

Maybe the Ohio Board of Elections? Long story short, not really.

ok, I had to walk away from the computer after 2 hours on this. I believe I saw a lil blurb back on the Ohio Democratic Party's site on their FAQs about registering with a party...their answer was no, but if you vote in a primary that will set your party affiliation. So it resets your registration? Apparantly. I couldn't find anything to clarify it, and I'm just about done.

Now for Some News...

Gaza Barrier Breached, from NPR

Slide May Not Presage Severe Recession, from NPR

Goths with Dog Leash Forced off Bus, from BBC

Iraqi Parliament Approves New Flag, from BBC (this actually does serve practical purpose)

How DO Candidates Get Chosen?

I have a vague understanding of this...but not a full understanding. So I'm going to consult Google for you.



In essence, it's a smaller version of the Electoral College. While the primaries for each party ARE held in the year leading up to the Presidential Election, those really don't officially decide anything. Delegates are chosen from each state, and then THEY select the candidate at the party convention, typically held the summer before Election Day.



The delegate selection process is rather...complicated. It varies by state, and by Party. One of my Google Finds, ThisNation.com, had a pretty solid answer for you. That article also links to a CNN.com report on how the GOP and Democrats did their process in 2004...which is a good read.



For the sake of brevity, the short and simple answer is the primaries serve to pledge some delegates for a particular candidate. They're typically only about half of the delegates that will go to the Convention...there are elected officials (think Governors), Party officials, and others with influence who will be chosen for the state at large.



Most delegates will be pledged, meaning they have to declare for a particular candidate before the convention. It's for this reason winning the primaries is such a key element...although in theory, with a scattered enough race (like this one!) it could be anyone's ball game, on account of unpledged delegates being able to weigh in on just one of three otherwise equal candidates.



So, to recap: The primaries elect some of the delegates to the Convention, and these set of district level delegates will vote for the winner of said primary. PLEO's, or Party Leaders and Elected Officials, will also have a say and are typically unpledged. This allows state delegations to be flexible under changing political conditions. Other delegates are chosen as well, with an at-large distinction, and depending on state rules are pledge or unpledged.



Then they all get together, and have a big party, and somewhere along the way vote for whoever they were pledged to vote for. Or whoever their delegation decides on, if they aren't pledged.



That gets important, because...what about those delegates pledged to Bill Richardson? They're up for grabs at the convention. If Huckabee drops out, all his delegates ALSO become fair game. That's why it may not seem important to vote your conscience in a primary, but...really, it is. Even if your candidate drops out later, a delegate from your district could play a key role in choosing the right candidate, instead of just going to support a media darling.

Now For Some News...

Bush to Announce a Stiumulous Package (Put Together With Congress???), from NPR.

Iran is Not an Immediate Military Threat, says Gates, from NPR.

Bobby Fischer Dies at 64, from BBC.

CIA Names Bhutto Killer, from BBC.

Reds Spring Training Tickets On Sale, from WVXU.

Delta, Northwest Merger Likely, from WVXU.

Ohio Supreme Court Rules on Multiple Sentences, from WVXU.

2007 General Election Results

I know anyone who cares has already found these results, but there they are (and a couple editorial comments) anyway.

Municipal Court District 1 Judge:

1. Dwane K Mallory, 50.25% ; John H Burlew. 49.75%. 11199 Votes Cast.
2. Fanon A Rucker, 100% (unopposed) 6278 Votes Cast

MCD 2:

1. Nadine Allen, 76.53% ; Rosalind C Florez 23.47%. 21269 VC

MCD 3:

1. Ted Berry, 71.76% ; Kendal M Coes, 28.24%. 24245 VC

MCD 4:

1. Julie Stautberg, 100% (unopposed) 19441 VC

MCD 5:

1. Heather Russel, 66.02% ; Greg Cohen, 33.98% 27807 VC

MCD 5 (Unexpired Term):

1. Brad Greenberg, 100% (unopposed). 22056 VC

MCD 6:

1. Richard Bernat, 68.35% ; Lawrence Lindgren 31.65%. 29819 VC

MCD 6 (Unexpired Term):

1. Bernie Bouchard, 66.97% ; Norma J Davis 33.03%. 30552 VC

MCD 7:

Melissa Powers, 100% (unopposed). 16076 VC

Villiage of Marriemont:

1. Mayor: Dan Policastro, 100% (unopposed). 930 VC
2. Clerk-Treasurer: Paul J Tontillo, 100% (unopposed) 938 VC
3. Council (Vote 2): Kimberly Sullivan, 37.70% ; Dennis Wolter, 31.51% ; James H Ferguson, 30.79%. 2085 VC
4. School Board (Vote 2): Marie C Huenefeld, 51.62% ; Denise Walter, 48.38%. 3557 VC

Tax Issues:

1. Mariemont Operating Levy Renewal: For, 72.88% ; Against, 27.12%. 1239 VC
2. Cincinnati School Levy: Against, 58.11% ; For, 41.89%. 66393 VC
3. Mariemont School Levy: For, 56.21% ; Against, 43.79%. 2907 VC
4. Issue 27 (Referendum on Public Safety Resolution): Against, 56.05% ; For, 43.95%. 191391 VC
5. Issue 28 (Mental Health Levy): For, 55.13% ; Against, 44.87%. VC 190304 VC
6. Issue 29 (Senior Services Levy): For, 69.45% ; Against, 30.55%. VC 190783 VC

All taken from the Hamilton County Board of Election's results page. Don't see your election? Probably because I didn't vote in it. Look here.

As for comments...I'm amazingly, incredibly disappointed the public safety levy didn't pass. Voting against that levy was essentially voting against law enforcement and for criminals. The day after it was shot down, the county is already talking about cutting sheriff patrols in Over the Rhine. That's exactly where we need to pulls cops from. I'm predicting some serious crime upswings and further migration out of the heart of Hamilton County.

I'm similarly disgusted by the short term view taken by voters on the Cincinnati school issue. Yes, the district has it's problems. But it's also falling apart, understaffed, and under funded. While we'd love to be able to give money to only good school districts, witholding it from a bad school does immeasurable damage. Watch the size of the city continue to shrink, because the children who go to the public schools are deprived of an education. When you link the effects of an unsupported school district and an unsupported law enforcement community, you get a slum.

That's all I have...except for we had 34% turnout this time around. I think that number speaks for itself.

How to Become a Registered Voter

So yesterday was all about moving Sarah, NOT telling you how to register to vote. My bad. Count this as Wednesday's issue, and I'll talk about the election for today.

It also gave me time to think...with fifty states, and dozens of counties per state, it'd be kinda asinine of me to issue a guide to all of them. More importantly, it's not really within my realm of influence or personal concern if everyone in Idaho is registered. SO I've decided the focus needs to be toned down to my county in all things political, starting with how to register to vote.

This blog is such a work in progress...so bear with me and feel free to offer suggestions.

How to Become a Registered Voter:

• http://www.ohio.gov has a link right on the homepage, which sends you to the Secretary of State website. There you can download the registration form, find all the eligibility questions you could ever have, and get a list of places you can register to vote.
• Contact the Hamilton County Board of Elections. They also have some interesting information, such as your local ballot and results.

If you're out for a walk and the urge to register your disenfranchised self to vote, drop in at any of the following locations (taken from the Ohio Secretary of State website):

• Public libraries.
• Public high schools or vocational schools.
• The office of any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (where you get your license and registration).

When I came back to Ohio from Colorado, I registered to vote by just walking into the library down the street, filling out the form with my name, address, driver's license # or last 4 of my SSN, then signed it. I gave it back to the librarian, and a week or so later I got a confirmation postcard telling me my polling station.

ALSO on that postcard was a simple change of address form. When I moved from Cincinnati to Marriemont this summer, I wrote my new address on the form and dropped it in the mail. My voter registration was changed even before I'd given back the keys to my apartment. Hang onto that card, it'll simplify your life when move time comes.

That's all folks.

Election Day

No, no national offices or issues are up for decision today. In fact, in Ohio there aren't even any state issues. But these are the elections when levies are passed or shot down, usually because no one but the advocates come out to vote.

So go vote.

In Ohio, don't forget your driver's license. Yes, you can still vote without it...but provisional ballots only get counted if the normal ballots are too close to call. So make sure you get in the first round fo decision making.

Smart Voter is a wonderful resource if you live in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, or New York. If you don't live in any of those, Smart Voter will send you to where you can get the info you need (such as voting stations and the ballot, so you know what you'll be voting on). You can also Google "Franklin County Board of Elections" (substituting your county, of course) and you should get what you need. If Google doesn't seem to do it, your state's website should have the election information posted that will direct you to the local organization.

This is the day people don't vote, and then ask later, "When the hell did they raise sales tax?? WHY??" Don't be like that, please. Take your duty as a citizen seriously.

Tomorrow, we'll cover how you can register to vote (in most cases). This week, we'll also go over how to READ a ballot, since I'm pretty sure they try to be difficult. In keeping with the election craze, I'll also update everyone on the results (at least in Hamilton County, OH).

Something to look forward too, eh?