BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The election is just one week away, and Aaron Moore, Director of the Belmont County Board of Elections talked to River News Network about common questions voters have.
You might wonder how long the wait is to vote at the Belmont County Board of Elections office in St. Clairsville. Moore says that depends on the time you come to vote, but the whole process usually only takes 10 to 15 minutes.
He said voters should not expect long lines or to be caught in lines that go out the door. He says around 300 people per day are voting at the St. Clairsville office. There is plenty of help to make the voting process a smooth one, Moore says.
We have two ladies that can check you in at the front window, and we have a lot of part-time staff that help guide you through the process, making sure you’re getting to the window, making sure where you need to go vote, and how to get your ballot scanned.
Aaron Moore, Director of the Belmont County Board of Elections
Moore said you must present a valid ID to vote. Forms of valid identification in Ohio include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, veterans card, military ID card, or a National Guard ID, Moore explained.
For mail-in or absentee ballots, Moore said as long as they are postmarked the day before the election, the Board of Elections can accept them. If you bring them into the election board office or use their dropbox, the ballots need to be submitted by 7:30 p.m. when the polls close on election day.
Moore said there are 26 polling locations in Belmont County and every voting facility must be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) tested and meet ADA requirements. Some voters, like those in Crescent and Barton, now drive longer distances to vote in Fairpoint than they did when the polling station was in Barton. Moore says it is harder for small counties like Belmont to find suitable facilities, but he said the board of elections reviews polling stations each year. He added that anyone can call the board of elections with questions.
The Belmont County Board of Elections is located at 52180 National Road in St. Clairsville. You can call them at 740-526-0188.
