Early in-person voting for the November 3 general election runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week in Fayette County, with ballots cast at the Fayette County Board of Elections at 135 South Main Street in Washington Court House, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s early voting directory.
The weekday hours continue a statewide schedule that began October 6. Boards across Ohio are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, October 23, then Saturday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., before hours expand in the final week before Election Day.
One local measure drawing attention in Fayette County is the Fayette County EMS District levy renewal. The district, which marks its 50th anniversary this year after being established in 1976, is asking voters to renew a levy of no more than 1.9 mills, expected to raise about $1.48 million a year for ambulance service.
District officials have said the renewal would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $49 a year and would not raise the tax rate above what residents already pay. The district responds to roughly 4,400 calls a year and serves county townships and municipalities including New Holland, with exceptions noted for Jefferson Township, Jeffersonville and part of Perry Township.
Under the district’s billing approach described by officials, a patient’s insurance is billed for ambulance service and any remaining balance is covered by levy revenue rather than passed on to the resident. Supporters tie that policy, along with upgraded ambulances and staff retention, to continued levy funding amid rising personnel and supply costs.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail face a key deadline next week: absentee ballot applications must be received by the board by 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27. Early voting then runs 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on October 26 and October 28 through 30, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on October 27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 31, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 1.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, when precinct polling places — not the board office — are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fayette County voters can confirm their registration, sample ballot and Election Day location through the county board of elections and the Secretary of State before heading out.