SANDUSKY, Ohio — Early voting for the November 3 general election enters its final week in Erie County on Monday, with the Board of Elections at 2900 Columbus Avenue, Room 101, in Sandusky open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. — the first of the extended-hours days that close out the early-voting calendar.
Turnout has been running strong. As of October 15, 3,821 registered voters had already cast ballots in person at the Columbus Avenue office, Board Director Alex Jones reported, an average of about 395 voters a day. Jones noted the pace was challenging even the 2024 presidential-year figure of 20,263 early ballots, and was well ahead of the 11,767 early ballots cast in the 2022 midterm cycle.
The hours expand further from here. After Monday’s 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. session, the board is open Tuesday, October 27, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., then 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, October 28–30. The final weekend offers Saturday, October 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is no early in-person voting on Monday, November 2.
Tuesday also carries a hard deadline for voters who want a ballot by mail: absentee ballot applications must reach the board by 8:30 p.m. on October 27. Applications can be returned to the board office or deposited in the drive-up drop box on the east side of the Erie County Water Department building at 2900 Columbus Avenue. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, to count.
Erie County voters are deciding county and local races and issues alongside Ohio’s eight statewide contests, the U.S. Senate race and statewide Issue 3. Sample ballots, candidate filings and issue filings are posted through the board’s site, and voters with questions can reach the office at 419-627-7601. The board is directed by Alex Jones, with Adrienne James as deputy director.
Board officials are urging voters not to wait for the final weekend, when lines at single-site early voting are typically longest. Anyone who has not voted early will vote at their assigned precinct polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, when polls across Ohio are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA