by

Ray Adler

(NOTE: Raymond M. Adler is the Chairman of the Hamilton County Election Board.  This commentary was published in the Thursday edition of the Hamilton County Reporter and is posted here through a news gathering partnership between LarryInFishers.com and the Reporter)

The Fall Election 2018 presented a variety of interesting issues to the Election Board members. Here is a sampling of the issues we faced on Election Day.

I wanted to remind voters that out-of-state driver’s licenses are not acceptable identification. Rejection of a voter without an in-state identification is not a race-related action but statutorily required. I also heard numerous complaints about the long lines. Voter turnout was exceptionally large this year. The County Commissioners need to balance the cost of the machines versus the limited use. Let them know if you would like more tax dollars to be spent to reduce the lines and wait time.

Almost 70 persons attempted to vote at the courthouse rather than in their own precinct. That is not permitted on Election Day, even though it is permitted during early voting. Registrations cannot be faxed in.

Not all yard signs had disclaimers printed on them designating who paid for the sign. This mostly happened in certain school board races, but not all school board races require the disclosure. It would certainly be helpful if all school board candidates, as well as all other candidates, had a disclaimer on their materials of who paid for it, as this is a recurring issue.

Many schools did not permit voting in the school due to recent concerns for safety. These locations are ideal as they solve the restricted parking issue, are well known to everyone, handicapped accessible and easy to administer. I would encourage you to contact your local school board and suggest they approve voting in the future at their school.

Finally, anyone with grievances can obtain a form from the Hamilton County Clerk, complete the information requested and return to the Clerk so that complaints may be dealt with expeditiously. Complaints this year mostly related to lack of disclaimers on yard signs or registration issues. If you register through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, make sure to bring your receipt to the voting booth as few errors have occurred.

Thank you everyone for a great election in Hamilton County.