For the first time in recent history, voters will have the option to request a third-party ballot for a partisan primary election as the result of a directive issued in December by Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

The recognized third parties in Ohio are the Constitution Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party and the Socialist Party USA.

Each party’s certified candidates will appear on the ballot in all 88 Ohio counties for the May 4 primary election. These parties previously appeared on the 2008 general election ballot in Ohio, but have not appeared on a primary election ballot until this election, according to a media release from the Clinton County Board of Elections.

The directive issued by the secretary of state was as a result of ongoing legal issues stemming from a 2006 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruling that found Ohio’s laws for political party formation and ballot access were unconstitutional. Because the Ohio General Assembly has not yet enacted a valid ballot access statute addressing the ruling, the secretary of state’s directive is meant to avoid any further legal challenges while the statute is being drafted in the General Assembly.

Voters who wish to be affiliated with one of the third parties can do so by requesting the primary election ballot of the party with which they wish to be affiliated. This is the same process used to determine party affiliation with the Democratic and Republican parties.

Samples of all political parties primary election ballots are posted on the Clinton County Board of Elections’ Web site. To view the ballots, go to www.electionsonthe.net/oh/clinton and select the “Sample Ballots” link on the top of the opening page.

Absentee/early voting for the May 4 primary will begin on Tuesday, March 30.

Voters can vote in person at the Clinton County Board of Elections office on the first floor of the county courthouse, or request a ballot be mailed to them by completing an Application for Absent Voter’s Ballot and personally return the application to the board office or by the U.S. Postal Service.

All applications for ballots to be mailed to voters must be submitted to the board office no later than noon Saturday, May 1. In-person voting will continue through Monday, May 3.

On primary election day, polls will open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, and will remain open until 7:30 p.m. For polling place locations, visit the board of elections’ Web site or contact the office.

For more information, call the Clinton County Board of Elections at 382-3537. The board office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.