Board of Elections Hustles to get Ballots Done after Redistricting

A perfect storm of the decennial Census, a presidential election and redistricting has made for some confusing weeks for Ohio elections officials.

Although all will be ready when overseas voting starts on Jan. 21, elections board workers -- including those in Lorain County -- have had to scramble a bit in the last week or so.

That's because a controversial U.S. congressional redistricting plan wasn't finalized until early January.

It all began with the 2010 U.S. Census. Population loss resulted in Ohio losing two Congressional seats, from 18 to 16. Plans began for redrawing Congressional district in time for the March 6, 2012 primary.

Under threat of a referendum, the state Legislature created a bill that allowed for two primaries; one in March for state representatives and on in June for U.S. Congress and the president.

On Dec. 14, Ohio lawmakers brokered a deal to accept a revised congressional map and a March 6 primary. The costly second primary in June was eliminated.

The Ohio House and Senate redistricting maps were finished, said Paul Adams, Lorain County board of elections director. But on Jan. 4, Democrats filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court over the new Statehouse legislative districts, claiming it heavily favored Republican candidates.

The lawsuit fizzled. But election board workers across the state then had less than a month to prepare ballots for the March primary. Ballots needed to be ready for Jan. 21, the day when the law requires overseas ballots to be mailed.

That sent county elections board workers hustling, Adams said.

“The entire process this time was confusing for us at the board of elections," Adams said. “It was quite difficult, but it is done."

Lorain County, which previously had two Congressional districts, now has electors in three Congressional districts.

While elimination of the June primary will save the state about $15 million in election costs, some cities, such as Avon Lake, were blindsided by its sudden demise.

In Lorain County, Avon Lake was anticipating placing a levy to fund paramedic service on the June ballot, but The city did not have enough time to prepare millage to place the issue on the March primary.