BUCYRUS —Absentee and early voting for this year’s primary election kicked off on Tuesday and will run through May 3, the day before the primary election day.

Not all registered voters in Crawford County will be casting a ballot in this primary election since the only race with two candidates is for a spot on the ballot in November for Bucyrus City Council member for Bucyrus Ward 1. The race is between Tracey Price and Brenton Potter, both newcomers to the political arena.

The position is currently held by long-time city council member Bruce Truka who has chosen not to run for re-election.

The only other issues on the ballot are for voters in the Wynford School District and Polk Township.

The school district is proposing two tax levies that are renewals only with no new taxes being introduced. The levies are for operating expenses at 6.9 mills and 1.66 mills. The 5.4 mill levy for Polk Township is also a renewal levy for the purpose of emergency services in the township.

According to Ruth Leuthold, Director of the Crawford County Board of Elections, people wishing to run as an Independent in the general election in November can pick up their petitions currently and they are due to be filed with the Board of Elections by May 3, the day before the primary election.

The Board of Elections office, located in the lower level of the Crawford County Courthouse, 112 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus, will be open during the following hours for early voting in the primary election:

  • 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Tuesday through Friday, from April 6, 2021 through April 9, 2021
  • 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, from April 12, 2021 through April 16, 2021;
  • 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, from April 19, 2021 through Friday, April 23, 2021;
  • 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, from April 26, 2021 through Friday, April 30, 2021;
  • 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Saturday, May 1, 2021;
  • 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., Sunday, May 2, 2021;
  • 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., Monday, May 3, 2021;

Leuthold said only voters in the Wynford School District, Polk Township and Bucyrus Ward 1 will be voting in the primary election and that all other areas in Crawford County will NOT be having an election.

“You may also apply by mail. We have a form you can request or just write a letter giving your Crawford County address, where you want the ballots mailed if it is a different address, your date of birth, the last 4 digits of your Social Security number or your driver’s license number, the date of the election, a statement that you are a qualified elector and the type of ballot you wish to vote. Please sign your name,” Leuthold said.

Absentee balloting by mail ends on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at noon.

Absentee balloting in person ends Monday, May 3, 2021 at 2 p.m.

“Our office will be open until 2 p.m. on that day for absentee voting,” said Leuthold.

Absentee ballots must be returned to the BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICE by 7:30 p.m. on election day on May 4.

“A drop box for ballots is located in front of the South Walnut Street main entrance of the courthouse out by the curb. People can drop off their absentee ballots there or bring them into our office during regular office hours,” said Leuthold.

For questions or more information, contact the Crawford County Board of Elections at 419-562-8721.