(Posted Feb. 3, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Thanks to a measure recently passed by the state legislature, county board of elections members across Ohio received pay raises this year. Their last increase was in 2012 before which increases were given only every 10 years.
On Feb. 1, Madison County Board of Elections Director Tim Ward asked the county commissioners to appropriate an additional $3,342 to cover the increased salary costs. A board member’s annual sal-ary went from $3,994 to $4,830. Madison County’s four board members are Teresa Ames, Bill Blazer, Debbie Cochran and Howard Foust.
Ward also asked for additional funds for travel expenses related to a conference the four board members and four elections staffers attended in Columbus in January. Last year, the commissioners approved the trip but the funding they set aside fell short.
Ward’s third funding request for $8,113 will allow his office to buy literature organizers for precincts where multiple ballot configurations are needed. For example, 49 ballot styles are possible in London, taking into account the different political parties and issues, he said.
The commissioners approved all three requests for appropriations.
In other election news, the deadline to register to vote in the March 15 primary election is Feb. 16. Voter registration forms are available at MyOhioVote.com, the county board of elections and local libraries.
If sent via U.S. mail, registration forms must be postmarked by Feb. 16 to be considered valid. All 88 county boards of elections, including the Secretary of State’s office in downtown Columbus, will be open until 9 p.m. on Feb. 16 to accept registration forms.
Voters can also check their voter registration status, update their information and utilize the online change of address system at MyOhioVote.com. All Ohioans are encouraged to confirm and update their registration on or before Feb. 16, particularly if a voter has not voted in a long time, changed their name, or changed their residence.
The Madison County Board of Elections is located at 1423 State Rte. 38 SE, London, and online at www.electionsonthe.net/oh/madison/. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (740) 852-9424 or email electionboard@co.madison.oh.us for details.
