Knox County voters can cast an early in-person ballot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week at the Knox County Board of Elections, 104 East Sugar Street in Mount Vernon, as early voting continues ahead of the November 3 general election. The board lists the same 8-to-5 weekday hours for Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23.
Any registered voter in the county can vote at the early vote center, which is located in the board office on the first floor. Early voting began October 6, the day after the close of voter registration, and the first day drew 384 voters in the county, according to board director James Blazer, who described the turnout as strong for a gubernatorial election year.
Hours expand as Election Day approaches. The board will be open Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., then Monday, October 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Wednesday, October 28 through Friday, October 30.
Weekend hours close out the early period, with voting 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 voting on Monday, November 2, the day before the election.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail can request an absentee ballot through VoteOhio.gov or at the board office. The board notes that absentee applications must be received no later than the close of business seven days before the election, and completed ballots can be returned by mail postmarked no later than the day before the election or dropped off at the board no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, polls across Knox County will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at each voter’s assigned polling location, which is different from the single early-voting site in Mount Vernon.
The board’s normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the office can be reached at 740-393-6716. Officials encourage voters to review a sample ballot and confirm their polling information before they go to vote.
Photo: Mark Spearman, CC BY