Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: absentee ballot

  • Should Loveland school taxes increase while residents Lose their livelihoods?

    Should Loveland school taxes increase while residents Lose their livelihoods?

    by Kim and Rick Donaldson

    While many in Loveland are losing their jobs and their businesses, our school board persists in asking us to raise our taxes. As it stands today, they may very well get their way simply by virtue of low voter turnout. So, if you

    Kim and Rick Donaldson live on Paxton Road in Miami Township

    haven’t already done so, apply for an absentee ballot now. The primary election originally scheduled for March 17th is now by mail only. Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than midnight, April 27th or dropped off at your county board of elections by 7:00 PM April 28th. Since you will first need to apply to have a ballot mailed to you, there is no time to lose.

    Now back to the original question: should our school taxes be increased? We are told that additional funding is needed to “protect our progress”. This would imply that past increases have improved district performance. However, according to Ohio Department of Education data, Loveland’s overall performance index score ranked in the top 15% of Ohio schools from 2010 through 2014, with correspondingly high overall grades. In 2015, Loveland’s performance dropped precipitously, nearly to the bottom 25%. Various explanations have been floated for this drop: Common Core implementation, testing changes, students opting out of testing, etc. Available data do not definitively show what the explanation is, but it does show what it isn’t: spending. Referring to the first chart, note that Loveland’s 2019 overall performance is virtually identical to its 2010 to 2014 performance, but expenditure per pupil is as much as 20% higher after adjusting for inflation.  Also note that Loveland’s performance had already recovered to pre-2015 levels by 2018, before the big ramp-up in expenditure.

    Graph provided by Kim and Rick Donaldson

    Since increased funding doesn’t seem to be improving our district’s rating, it is difficult to see exactly what progress we are protecting. Moreover, if we are to invest more of our hard-earned and increasingly scarce money in the schools, we expect to reap some benefit as a community. So far, our children don’t seem to have reaped the benefit of a better education and our property owners haven’t reaped the benefit of the appreciation that should result from a better-rated school system. However, there is one segment of the community who has reaped the benefit: teachers.

    According to Ohio Department of Education data, presented in the second chart, Loveland’s average teacher salary was $63,566 in 2010, which was about average for an Ohio school district with similar demographics among both the community and the teachers. In 2019, Loveland’s average teacher salary had increased to $78,248, 10% above the comparable Ohio district average. Loveland’s average teacher salary has also risen faster than median income. In 2010, the average teacher salary was 28% above median income. By 2019 it had risen to 47% above median income. While some might argue that paying teachers more improves educational quality, Loveland’s teacher salary and performance trends do not support that claim. Statistical analysis of statewide trends also shows no practical benefit for paying teachers above-market salaries.

    Graph provided by Kim and Rick Donaldson

    We do not question the quality, dedication or professionalism of Loveland teachers. Nor do we fault them for negotiating the most favorable compensation package they can. It is the responsibility of the board of education and administration to negotiate effectively on behalf of the Loveland community at large to deliver a high-quality education at a cost we can afford. Sadly, they do not seem to be doing an adequate job of cost control at a time when residents cannot afford to pay more.

    While no one knows how severe the current economic downturn will be or how long it will last, we do know the proposed levy will cost property owners an additional $20 per month for each $100,000 of appraised value, forever. Under the circumstances, it would be appropriate for the Loveland School Board to withdraw the levy, and we wholeheartedly agree with those who have already called on them to do so. However, the board’s past behavior indicates they are unlikely to heed those calls. The only way we can stop this levy and impose fiscally responsibility is to get an absentee ballot and vote no.

    References:

    1. Elections and Voting in Ohio, Ohio Secretary of State website:  https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters
    2. Ohio Department of Education District Profile (Cupp) Reports:  http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Finance-and-Funding/School-Payment-Reports/District-Profile-Reports
    3. Ohio Department of Education District Achievement/Rating Data:  https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download
    4. US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator:
      https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
    5. Ohio Department of Education District Teacher Information:  https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download
  • How to vote in 2020 Primary Election: Frequently asked questions

    How to vote in 2020 Primary Election: Frequently asked questions

    Local Board of Elections

    Clermont County

    Hamilton County

    Warren County

    Ohio Secretary of State

     

    I VOTED BY MAIL OR IN PERSON BEFORE MARCH 17, 2020, DO I NEED TO VOTE AGAIN?

    No, all ballots already submitted by mail or in-person will count, so long as they were otherwise valid. If you voted prior to March 17th your ballot is secured behind double locks at your county board of elections and will be counted on April 28th. Please encourage friends and family who haven’t already voted to request an absentee ballot from your local board of elections.

    WILL THERE BE IN-PERSON VOTING ON APRIL 28, 2020?

    Yes, but since most Ohioans are being advised to stay home right now, the new law only allows for limited in-person voting on April 28th. In-person voting will only occur on April 28 and only at boards of elections early vote centers, not at precinct polling locations. And in-person voting will only be available for individuals with disabilities who require in-person voting and those who do not have a home mailing address.

    WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE 2020 PRIMARY?

    The deadline to register for the 2020 primary election was February 18, 2020. Anyone who is eligible to vote, but has not yet registered, can do so for the November 3, 2020 General Election, at VoteOhio.gov(opens in a new window).

    WHAT SHOULD DISABLED OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED VOTERS DO IF THEY RELY ON ACCESSIBLE VOTING MACHINES?

    A remote ballot marking system is available through each county board of elections for use by an absentee voter with a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The remote ballot marking system allows a qualifying voter to mark their ballot privately and independently. You can contact your county board of elections or fill out the Form 11-G online form.

    Disabled and visually-impaired voters may also vote at the board of elections early vote center on April 28, 2020.

    I HAVE SINCE MOVED. DO I NEED TO UPDATE MY REGISTRATION BEFORE REQUESTING MY BALLOT?

    A voter must be properly registered by February 18, 2020. If a voter has moved but did not update their address, the voter may apply for a ballot and will receive a provisional ballot by mail from the board of elections. State law requires registration and address changes for the 2020 primary to be completed by February 18th 2020, so no new address changes or registrations are being accepted for the 2020 primary.

    WHEN WILL THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION BE ANNOUNCED?

    Tabulation of votes will begin on April 28, 2020 after 7:30 p.m. It’s important to note that ballots postmarked by April 27, 2020 will all be counted, so final unofficial results won’t be available until May 8, 2020. (This is standard for every election.)

    ABSENTEE VOTING

    I DON’T HAVE A PRINTER, CAN I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

    Yes. You can call your county board of elections and a request can be sent to you. A directory of all boards can be found here: OhioSoS.gov/boards.

    Voters who can’t print their own form may also simply write the following information on a blank sheet of paper and mail it to their board of elections;

      • full name
      • date of birth
      • full registration address including county
      • address where the ballot should be mailed if different from your registration address
      • one of the these: Ohio driver’s license number, last four of your Social Security number or include a copy of an acceptable form of ID
      • state that “I’m requesting an absentee ballot for the March 17th Ohio Primary”
      • indicate if you want a: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or Issues only ballot (choose only one)
      • sign it
      • today’s date
      • phone number (optional, but suggested)
      • email address (optional but suggested)

    WHEN DOES MY BALLOT NEED TO BE POSTMARKED?

    Unless you are a member of the U.S. military currently deployed overseas or an American living abroad, ballots must be postmarked by April 27, 2020 and received by the board of elections by May 8, 2020 to be counted in the primary election if the proper information was provided on the identification envelope.

    I’M REGISTERED TO VOTE BUT HAVE CHANGED MY NAME. CAN I STILL VOTE?

    Yes. If you are able to provide a signed Form 10-L and a proof of the name change(opens in a new window), a regular ballot may be provided. However, if you request a ballot under a former name and request to receive an absentee ballot by mail, a provisional ballot will be provided to you by your local board of elections.

    WHAT DATE DO I PUT ON THE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION UNDER “DATE OF ELECTION?”

    Please write March 17, 2020 (or 03/17/2020) as the election date has not changed, only extended for mail-in voting. However, anyone who writes another date will still have their absentee application processed if the remainder of the required information is included on the request.

    CAN CORONAVIRUS BE SPREAD OVER THE HANDLING OF PAPER?

    The experts at the Ohio Department of Health have said that COVID-19 doesn’t spread by penetrating the skin on your hands, but only leads to infection when it is transferred from your hand to places like your mouth, nose, or eyes. Given that, the best measure you can take to prevent the spread of germs is washing your hands after handling mail and even cash.

    IS VOTING BY MAIL SECURE?

    Yes. From the moment you request your ballot to the moment it is received at the board of election to be counted, the ballot may be tracked at VoteOhio.gov. Ballots are stored securely in rooms requiring both a Democrat and Republican staff member to gain access.

    POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND CANDIDATES

    HAS THE DEADLINE FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES BEEN CHANGED? (THE DEADLINE SAYS “DAY BEFORE THE DAY OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION” IN THE Ohio REVISED CODE)

    No. As the election has not been rescheduled, only extended, all of the deadlines stay in place except for absentee mail-in ballot submissions.

    MY BALLOT ISSUE COMMITTEE, FOR A SCHOOL LEVY, WANTS TO FILE FOR THE AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTION IF IT FAILS IN THE PRIMARY. CAN I STILL DO THAT?

    Yes, as this extended election ends on April 28, 2020, the deadline to file for the August special election is May 6, 2020. A question or issue that is approved by the voters in the Primary may be withdrawn before the August special election.

    I’M A CANDIDATE, CAMPAIGN OR COMMITTEE. CAN I SEND ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS TO MY SUPPORTERS?

    Yes, you can send the absentee ballot request form to any Ohio voter who hasn’t already voted. You can find and print that form here(opens in a new window). Make sure to let them know the address of their county board of elections which can be found here. You may also include a pre-addressed envelope with the board of elections address on it but state law says that you may not provide them postage.

  • Nearly 911,000 absentee ballots requested, more than 42,000 absentee ballots cast to date in Ohio

    Nearly 911,000 absentee ballots requested, more than 42,000 absentee ballots cast to date in Ohio

    Just 21 days ahead of the November 6 General Election, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted said today that as of Friday, October 12, an estimated 910,982 absentee ballots had been requested and 42,470 had been cast statewide. This includes more than 7,900 ballot requests from military and overseas voters, whose absentee ballots started going out on Saturday, September 22, of which nearly 1,200 have been cast. Ballots for all other voters started going out on October 10 and more than 41,000 have been cast by mail and in person.

    2018 General Election By-the-Numbers

    • 8,025,232 Ohioans are registered to vote.
    • 910,982 voters have requested an absentee ballot by mail as of Friday.
    •  Of those, 42,470 have been cast.
    • 34,252voters have requested and cast an absentee ballot in person as of Friday.
    • 7,914military & overseas voters have requested an absentee ballot as of Friday.
    • Of those, 1,176 have been cast.
    At this same point during absentee voting in 2014, nearly 741,000 absentee ballots had been requested and more than 49,000 ballots had already been cast.
    During the 2018 General Elections, voters will decide a statewide ballot initiative, as well as races for both state and federal offices. There will also be 1,661 local issues(opens in a new window) across the state and a number of local races, which voters can obtain additional information on by contacting their county board of elections.
    Ohio voters have multiple options available to them to cast a ballot over a four week period that began October 10. A registered voter can cast an absentee ballot by mail or early in person, which gives them 24 hours a day to vote from home or nearly 200 hours to vote in person that includes weeknights and weekends, respectively. There is also Election Day, during which voters have 13 hours to cast a ballot at their neighborhood polling location. The voting schedule is accessible on the Secretary of State’s website.
    The full, detailed and interactive 2018 elections calendar is available online.
    For more information on the upcoming November 6 General Election or to download an absentee ballot request form, visit MyOhioVote.com.
    Additional Information:
    County-by-County Breakdown of Early Voting Numbers

    Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches.

  • Secretary Husted releases final round of early voting numbers ahead of election day

    Secretary Husted releases final round of early voting numbers ahead of election day

    Tuesday is Election Day and the polls will be open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

    Over 300,000 ballots requested, over 260,000 Ohioans have voted.
    Tomorrow is Election Day, still time to return absentee ballots.
     
    Columbus, Ohio – On the eve of Election Day for the May 8 Primary Election, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today announced that 300,765 absentee ballots had been requested through 2 PM Monday. Thus far, 260,443 Ohio voters have cast their ballots.
     
    Based on an informal survey of Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections, as of Monday, May 7:
     
    At this same point during absentee voting in 2014, nearly 254,000 absentee ballots had been requested and nearly 202,000 ballots had been cast.
     
    The unofficial data collected through the informal board of elections survey also shows the number of absentee ballots requested and cast by ballot type.
     
    During the 2018 Primary Election, voters will decide a statewide ballot issue, a number of state and local races, as well as a total of 479local issues across 83 counties. You can view the list of candidates for statewide, congressional, state legislative, and court of appeals offices online at MyOhioVote.com. Information on local contests is available by contacting the county board of elections.
     
    Tuesday is Election Day and the polls will be open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Voters need to bring the proper form of ID and know their polling place and precinct. Voters can check their polling place and precinct, and get other important voting information by visiting www.MyOhioVote.com.
     
    Voters who received a mail-in absentee ballot must either get it postmarked and in the mail today, or drop it off at their county board of elections by 7:30 PM Tuesday. Completed mail-in absentee ballots cannot be returned at polling locations. To make sure their ballots are counted, voters need to complete, sign and seal their voted ballots, taking care to provide the required information, including proper identification.
     
    To ensure voters in Ohio have a positive experience, Secretary Husted established the Voter Toolkit – an online, one-stop location for all necessary voting information. Ohio voters can visit MyOhioVote.com/VoterToolkitto check their voter registration status, find their polling location, view their sample ballot and track their absentee ballot.
     
    Additional Information:

     

    PLEASE NOTE: Results for write-in candidates will notbe available on election night. Additionally, results for local elections, such as county races, school levies and tax levies, will notbe available through the Secretary of State’s Election Night Reporting website. You must contact county boards of elections for local election information.
  • Election day is one week away

    Election day is one week away

    Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today reminded voters the May 8 Primary Election is one week away, and the deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Saturday, May 5 at noon.
     
    This month, voters will weigh-in on a statewide ballot issue, a number of state and local races, as well as a total of 479 local issues across 83counties. You can view the list of candidates for statewide, congressional, state legislative, and court of appeals offices online at MyOhioVote.com. Information on local contests is available by contacting the county board of elections.
     
    Information on the statewide ballot initiative can be accessed on the Secretary of State’s website.
     
    The full, detailed and interactive 2018 elections calendar is available online.
     
    Absentee Voting by Mail and In-Person
    All Ohio voters wanting to cast an absentee ballot by mail must request one by Saturday, May 5 at noon and return it to the appropriate county board of elections’ office by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8. Absentee ballots postmarked by May 7 will also be counted, but voters who choose to return their absentee ballot close to the deadline should consider delivering it to their county board of elections’ office to ensure it is counted. For more information on absentee voting, visit MyOhioVote.com.
     
    Secretary Husted has established uniform hours for in-person absentee voting to ensure all voters have fair and equal access to the ballot during the May 8 Primary Election. Ohio voters can vote over the course of four weeks, including the weekend before Election Day.
     
    Military & Overseas Voting
    Military voters who are already registered to vote, but have not submitted a request for an absentee ballot may still do so by visiting OhioMilitaryVotes.com, while overseas voters can visit OhioVoterPassport.com. There they can download the Federal Post Card Application and request an absentee ballot, read through frequently asked questions, track the status of their mailed ballot and sign up for election reminders via email and social media.
    Says Voter Toolkit on the top half and underneath says What would you like to do Bottom half has 4 boxes. Box1 says Track Your Ballot Box 2 says Find Your Polling Location Box 3 says View Your Sample Ballot and Box 4 says Check Your Voter Registration
     
    Voter Toolkit
    The online Voter Toolkit is a one-stop location for all necessary voting information. Ohio voters can visit MyOhioVote.com/VoterToolkit to check their voter registration status, find their polling location, view their sample ballot and track their absentee ballot.
                                                                         
    Get Election Updates and Ohio’s Virtual Voting Sticker
    All voters are encouraged to connect with “OhioSOSHusted” on Facebook and Twitter to get election information and updates throughout the year. Here they can also get a virtual voting sticker badge to let their friends and followers know they’ve participated in the Primary Election. Facebook users simply need to “like” Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s official Facebook page to “wear” a virtual sticker on their wall. Twitter users may share their voting badge by visiting the Secretary of State’s website.