Warren County’s Board of Elections mailed out 16,000 absentee ballots on Oct. 2, 2012. Photo provided
Early voting in the swing state of Ohio began today and hundreds of voters in Warren County turned out to support their chosen candidates and races.
Fourteen people were waiting in line to cast their ballots when early in-person voting opened at 8 a.m., said Brian Sleeth, Warren County deputy director of elections.
Two hundred votes had been cast as of 2 p.m.
“It’s been steady all day,” he said. “I’m surprised the crowds aren’t bigger.”
Another 16,000 absentee ballots were mailed out Tuesday morning to voters who requested them, said Sleeth.
Early voting is uniform throughout Ohio and generally runs Monday through Friday until Nov. 2.
Here’s what some Warren County early voters had to say about early voting and their presidential candidate of choice.
Jerry & Dianne Bell, Mason
Candidate supported: Obama
“It’s more convenient and less crowded,” said Dianne Bell. “I travel so I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss Election Day.”
“It makes the process easier,” said Jerry Bell. “I wanted to now tell my friends and encourage them to get out and vote.”
Jim & Francie Russell, Deerfield Township
Candidate supported: Romney
“I personally think this is the most important election I’ll ever see in my lifetime,” said Jim Russell, 62. “We’ll be out of town on Election Day and wanted to get it done.”
“Obama and his policies are very scary,” said Francie Russell, 60.
“Our country is headed in a bad direction,” added Jim. “I hope Romney can pull it out.”
Craig & Leeann Brown, Loveland
Candidate supported: Obama
“We wanted to beat the crowd. When we voted this time last year it was a big long line, so we wanted to get it out of the way,” said Craig Brown.
“We know who we want — Obama,” said Leeann Brown.
Jeannette & Gary Gibson, Hamilton Township
Candidate supported: Romney
“I wanted to get it over with; we’re going on some trips,” said Jeannette Gibson, 70. “If something comes up, you don’t want to miss it.”
“I just don’t like the way Obama is running the country. We don’t like the way it’s going so we’re hoping for a change the other way,” said Gary Gibson, 71.
Ray Hunter, Mason
Candidate supported: “the best one”
“I think that its very important right now,” said Hunter, of early voting. “Today I wanted to make sure I did that to avoid crowds. I think that it’s something every citizen should do.”
Cliff Ball, Hamilton Township
Candidate supported: Romney
“I needed to get an updated address on my registration and while I was here I took the opportunity to vote,” said Ball. “Romney is a business man. Obama is a socialist liberal trying to bring America down. He’s a Muslim implant from Saudi Arabia.”
Nancy Seibert, Lebanon
Candidate supported: Obama
“I’ve really been paying attention to the election and have strong feelings about it and wanted to be sure I voted in a relaxed situation,” said Seibert, 81.
“I’m interested in the middle class and the needs of those people in that population,” she said. “I’m for health care, I support women’s issues and Planned Parenthood. There wasn’t much in Romney’s agenda that would attract me.”
Holiday Will, Franklin Township
Candidate supported: Romney
“I didn’t know about early voting,” admitted Will, 40, who said he went to the Board of Elections to update his voter registration. “I think it’s a good thing for the elderly or people who don’t want to get out in a crowd. I’d vote for Obama if I wanted a socialist.”
Shannon O. Early, Deerfield Township
Candidate supported: Obama
“I wanted to make sure I got the chance to vote,” said Early, 72, a CPA and 27-year military veteran. “I thought this is one of the things we should do.”
“I know a little bit about finances; being a CPA gives me insight,” he added. “There’s no way you can expect someone to clean up the economy in four years. I listened to what Romney and Obama had to say. I think Romney is a nice guy, he really is. I just don’t think he’d make a good president.”
Allen Middleton & Libby Newburger
Candidate supported: Romney and Obama
“I wanted to get it over with; I already know who I’m voting for,” said Newburger, 53, of her ballot for Obama. “I think that he’s been a good president and I’d like to see him continue.
“There’s nothing I like about Obama,” said Middleton, 81.
Charlotte Adams, Union Township
Candidate supported: Romney
“I go south in winter and I like getting (voting) over with without the crowd and hassle,” said Adams, 65. “I’ve had enough of Obama the past four years and his religious beliefs. He doesn’t want soldiers to be able to vote.”
Therese Jaspers, Mason
Candidate supported: Declined to answer
“Clearly it’s more convenient,” said Jaspers, 60, of early voting. “I travel a a lot and I wasn’t sure I’d be around (on Election Day).”
“I was disappointed to find that today is like voting absentee. I got the impression that if it’s an absentee ballot, it won’t be counted.”
Cindy Rapp, Lebanon
Candidate supported: Romney
“We’re leaving town and (early voting) is a lot easier than trying to file an absentee ballot,” said Rapp, 61. “I agree more for what Romney stands for. Obama — he’s against my Christian principles.”
