Ashland’s mayor has positive thoughts about the upcoming election and is confident that Ashland residents will make sure their voices are heard.

“We have already seen here in the county that the numbers requesting to vote by absentee have gone through the roof,” Mayor Matt Miller said.

To stay COVID-free, polling stations will make masks and hand sanitizer available for voters, as well as staying six feet away from fellow voters.

“This year will already be a big election year in terms of voter turnout because it is a presidential election,” Miller said.

This voter turnout will decide which levies will be passed and who wins political seats. Most tax issues on the ballot are renewals.

Schools, local police, fire stations, mental health organizations and county parks are affected by levies.

“The community has supported these measures in the past and hopefully, they will do so once again,” Miller said. “Parks contribute to the quality of life we enjoy here in Ashland County.”

While the United States Congress and state legislators make the law, it is up to elected local officials to carry out these laws. Voting locally has a huge impact on who residents want to make those decisions.

“The devil is in the detail,” Miller said. “How those measures are carried out on the local level makes the difference in our daily lives.”

AU-LIVE: Early in-person voting began Oct. 6, and will continue until Nov. 2 at 2:00 p.m. For a full list of these times, click here.

For more information, visit the Board of Election’s website at https://boe.ashland.oh.gov/.