By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter

Eighteen-year-old Chase Bierce will be registering to vote this weekend when he applies for his driver’s permit.

Like many 17- and 18-year-olds across the country, Bierce is excited about the opportunity.

“It is my right to vote, and I am excited to exercise that right,” said Bierce, who is a senior at Bucyrus High School.

Bierce’s mom, April Payne, said she is proud of her son.

“I am very proud of him exercising his right to vote for lawmakers and policies that will affect his future,” Payne said.

According to Crawford County Board of Elections Director Ruth Leuthold, 17-year-old individuals who will turn 18 by Nov. 6 may vote in the primary election in May.

“They have to declare a party and can vote for candidates that they will vote for in November, but they cannot vote on issues,” Leuthold said.

Since Bierce is 18, he also will be able to vote on issues that will appear on the May ballot.

Leuthold said voter registration for the primary election closes April 9 and early and absentee voting begins April 10.

“Our office will be open until 9 p.m. on April 9,” Leuthold said.

The primary election is May 8.

Democratic candidate races to win a spot on the November ballot include: Richard Cordray and Betty Sutton, Dennis Kucinich and Tara Samples, Paul Ray and Jerry Schroeder, Larry Ealy and Jeffrey Lynn, Bill O’Neill and Chantelle Lewis, Joe Schiavoni and Stephanie Dodd all for governor and lieutenant governor positions; and Janet Garrett, Leah Sellers and Cody James Slatzer-Rose for the position of representative to Congress.

Republican candidate races for the November ballot include: Mike Dewine and Jon Husted, Mary Taylor and Nathan Estruth for governor and lieutenant governor; Sandra O’Brien and Robert Sprague state treasurer; Melissa Ackison, Mike Gibbons, Jim Renacci, Don Elijah Eckhart, Dan Kiley and a write-in candidate for U.S. senator; Lisa Cooper and Amy Golamb for State Central Committee, woman;  Riordan McClain, Doug Weisenauer and Steve Reinhard for State Representative for the 87th District; Tim Ley, Jeff Teynor and Jenny Vermillion for Crawford County Commissioner; and Wayne Leuthold and Wayne Schiefer for Republican Central Committee (Crawford County) Liberty Township.

Issues to be voted on in Crawford County include:

  • For all voters: Creates a bipartisan, public process for drawing congressional districts to end gerrymandering.
  • For voters within the Bucyrus Public Library Consortium: A .5 mill levy for five years for proper furnishing, maintenance, operation and rendering of free library services.
  • For voters in the Wynford School District: A renewal tax of 6.96 mills for three years for current operating expenses and a renewal levy of 1.82 mills for three years to avoid an operating deficit.
  • Crestline School District: A 10-mill renewal levy for five years to avoid an operating deficit.
  • Cranberry Township: For the sale of wine and mixed beverages on Sunday at Mickey Mart.

The Crawford County Board of Elections is in the lower level of the Crawford County Courthouse.