Elections board makes adjustments

Seneca County Board of Elections certified candidate withdrawals and write-in candidates for the Nov. 7 election Wednesday evening. Deputy Director Lori Ritzler said Brenda Luhring, who was a candidate for Mohawk School Board, withdrew from that race. She also said James W. Bodart was certified as a write-in candidate for New Riegel Village Council and Joshua O. Messersmith was certified as a write-in candidate for Mohawk School Board. Ritzler said Donald R. Ellis was certified as a write-in candidate for District 1 North Central Ohio Educational Service Center board member. The elections panel is preparing for the general election. Ritzler said Oct. 10 is the deadline to register to vote in the November election. She said early voting is to begin at the board of elections office Oct. 11. In other business, the board set dates for poll worker training. Director Jim Ehrman said the training is for first-time poll workers and those who want a refresher course. He said the refresher course is highly recommended. The sessions tentatively are scheduled to occur at the Public Safety Building, 126 Hopewell Ave., but Ehrman said if the necessary furniture is purchased and installed at the board of elections office, training sessions could be moved there. "That is the ultimate goal," Ritzler said of having the sessions at the board office, 71 S. Washington St. She said this is important so trainees can get experience with electronic poll books and voting machines, which are stationary and kept in a secure location. Poll workers are paid $120 and are eligible for a bonus for attending training. The board approved training sessions for 1 p.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 4 and Oct. 12; 9 a.m. Oct. 17; 5 p.m. Oct. 25; and 10 a.m. Nov. 4. The county needs about 216 poll workers. For more information, call the elections board office at (419) 447-4424. In other news, the elections board staff has moved into its new office, but renovations are ongoing. Ritzler said county officials hope all renovations are complete by Oct. 1. At that time, Seneca Regional Planning Commission can begin its move next door into the former space of the elections panel. Decisions on tables, a service countertop and other furniture in the elections office are pending by Seneca County commissioners. The elections board plans to meet at 5:05 p.m. Oct. 4.