WILMINGTON — Next Tuesday’s primary will give Clinton County’s Republicans a chance to decide two contested races for Clinton County commissioners, and the county’s Democrats can weigh in on one uncontested commissioner’s primary race.
County commissioners are charged with budgeting the county’s general fund, which contributes to a host of services, such as law enforcement, road maintenance and running courts.
Gregory Grove, Terry Habermehl, Scott Holmer, Mike McCarty and Brenda K. Woods are seeking the Grand Old Party’s nomination to replace Mike Curry, who will leave his seat vacant next year.
Kerry Steed, an incumbent commissioner, faces challenger James G. “Jim” Fife. Both are Republicans.
Democrats can vote for Dean Feldmeyer, who will go on to face the Republican nominee between Steed and Fife in the Nov. 8 general election.
Residents may also vote for several other county candidates running unopposed, as well as make their pick for President.
Voters don’t have to register with a party to vote for it; instead, they affiliate themselves with that party when they go to vote.
But, before heading to the polls, voters may want to check their registration and precinct location, which can be done online at the Clinton County Board of Elections website at www.electionsonthe.net/oh/clinton/.
From there, a menu will appear on the left. Click “Am I registered?” and enter a name to check a voter’s registration status and see the precinct that voter should vote in. Directions to a precinct, an absentee ballot’s status and a sample ballot are also available.
Those who vote in person on March 15 are required by Ohio law to give their full names and current addresses and provide a proof of identity.
According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, proof of identity includes an unexpired Ohio’s driver’s license or state identification card with a voter’s current or former address so long as the voter’s current residential address is on the official list of voters for the precinct.
Other forms of proof include military ID, current U.S. or Ohio issued photo ID with name and address or a utility bill (including a cell phone bill), bank statement, paycheck or government document, any of which must have the voter’s name and current address.
“If you do not have any of the above forms of identification you may provide either your Ohio driver’s license or state identification number (which begins with two letters followed by six numbers) or the last four digits of your Social Security number and cast a provisional ballot,” the Secretary of State’s website said. “Once the information is reviewed and verified by the board of elections, your ballot will be counted.”
Otherwise, voters can cast a provisional ballot but they must then return to the board of elections office in the Clinton County courthouse no later than seven days after Election Day and provide a qualifying form of identification.
Reach Nathan Kraatz at 937-382-2574, ext. 2510 or on Twitter @NathanKraatz.