Early voting for November election starts Tuesday

Those who are not registered to vote can do that as well, and then vote the same day, through Oct. 4, the deadline for voter registration. In order to vote from home, citizens can request an absentee ballot in writing from the Board of Elections prior to Oct. 30.

Voters will have the opportunity to select candidates in county races and issues, a total of six statewide office races, contests for their congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the race for the local Ohio House district.

Several of the statewide races this year have additional significance because they have seats on the state Apportionment Board.

The five-member board is composed of the Ohio governor, secretary of state, state auditor, a member selected by the speaker of the House and the Senate leader of that party, and a member selected by the House and Senate leaders of the other party. Under this system, whichever political party holds three seats on the board controls the legislative mapping process. With all three of the statewide executive posts up for election this year, whichever party wins at least two will control the board. Historically, the party in charge of the board has gerrymandered a majority of House and Senate districts to favor his or her party's candidates.

For Ohio governor, incumbent Ted Strickland, a Democrat, is being challenged by former U.S. Rep. John Kasich, the Republican. The Ohio Green Party has Dennis S. Spisak on the ballot for governor as well, and Ken Matesz is running as the Libertarian candidate.

With current U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Cleveland, retiring, a number of candidates are seeking that seat. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, D-Cleveland, and former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, a Republican from the Cincinnati area, are the two big party candidates in the race. Socialist Party candidate Daniel H. LaBotz, Constitutional Party candidate Eric W. Deaton and unaffiliated candidate Michael L. Pryce are also on the ballot.

For Ohio secretary of state, another apportionment board seat, Democrat Maryellen O'Shaughnessy is facing Republican Jon Husted and Libertarian Charles R. Earl. In the third apportionment seat race, for auditor of state, Republican Dave Yost is facing Democrat David Pepper and Libertarian L. Michael Howard.

Meanwhile, incumbent Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, a Democrat, is being challenged by former Republican U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, as well as Libertarian candidate Marc Allan Feldman and Constitution Party candidate Robert M. Owens.

Finally, at the statewide level, incumbent Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce, a Democrat, is facing Republican state Rep. Josh Mandel and Libertarian Matthew P. Cantrell.

In congressional districts affecting Athens County, both U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, and U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, are up for re-election. Space, who represents Ohio's 18^th District that includes a portion of northern Athens County, is facing state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, and Constitution Party candidate Lindsey Dean Sutton.

Wilson, representing Ohio's 6^th Congressional District that includes the rest of Athens County, is facing Republican Bill Johnson, a businessman from Poland, as well as Libertarian Martin J. Elsass and Constitutional Party candidate Richard E. Cadle.

Incumbent state Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Athens, is up for re-election, and will square off against Republican Mike Hunter, also from Athens and the former Ohio State Patrol Athens Post commander. Also, Green party candidate Ty Collinsworth from Nelsonville is on the ballot.

At the county level, incumbent Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason, a Democrat, is being challenged by local real-estate agent Matt Gaiser, a Republican. County Auditor Jill Thompson, a Republican, is also on the ballot, but faces no opposition.

On the officially non-partisan portion of the ballot, Eric Brown, a Democrat, is running against Republican Maureen O'Connor for chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Also, for justice of the state Supreme Court, Judith Ann Lanzinger, a Republican, is facing Democrat Mary Jane Trapp. For Athens County Court of Common Pleas judge, Michael Ward is on the ballot but faces no opposition.

Athens County voters also will have the opportunity to vote on numerous issues, each needing a majority yes vote for passage.

Issue 1 is a renewal of a 2-mill tax levy for the purpose of supporting Athens County Children Services "and the Care, Protection, and Placement of Abused, Neglected and Dependant Children" (see related story in this issue).

Issue 2 is a proposed replacement 1.8-mill tax levy "for the purpose of maintenance and operation of Beacon School and ATCO Sheltered Workshop for Persons with Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities."

Issue 3 is a renewal of a 1-mill tax levy in the county "for the purpose of operation and maintenance of emergency medical services."

Voters in the city of Athens will also be able to vote on a 0.10 percent income tax levy to pay for street improvements.

In the city of Nelsonville, voters will have the option of voting for or against a replacement 3-mill tax levy "for the purpose of general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repairs of streets, roads and bridges."