On Tuesday, Nov. 6, voters in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana head to the polls to vote on a host of issues and candidates to represent their states. Here's everything you need to know before heading to the polls.
Ohio
Who/What Am I Voting For?
Ohio voters will elect a new governor to replace current Republican Governor John Kasich, who is term limited. Your choices are (in alphabetical order):
- Richard Cordray (Democrat)
- Mike DeWine (Republican)
- Constance Gadell-Newton (Green)
- Travis Irvine (Libertarian)
The statewide issue on the ballot is Issue 1 (PDF), which, if passed, would change drug possession felonies to misdemeanors and steer non-violent drug offenders into treatment instead of prison. A recent Cincinnati Edition explored Issue 1's pros and cons.
Voters in Southwest Ohio also have to decide on a series of local contests and issues. Here's how to find out what races are contested and the issues on the ballot in your county:
Am I Registered To Vote?
The deadline to register to vote in Ohio was Oct. 9. Check to see if you are registered to vote via the following links if you live in:
If you are not registered, you can sign up here, though you will not be able to vote in Tuesday's election.
Where Do I Vote?
Find your polling place by clicking on the link below of the county you live in. Ohio polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
You can find this information for all 88 of Ohio's counties at the Ohio Secretary of State website, MyOhioVote.com.
Indiana
Who/What Am I Voting For?
Indiana has a plethora of candidates on its district ballots. The big one is the contest between incumbent U.S. Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly and Republican Mike Braun. Libertarian Lucy Brenton is also on the ballot.
Hoosiers' big ballot issue? Whether to amend the state constitution to require state legislature to enact a balanced budget for each biennial budget period.
Am I Registered To Vote?
The deadline to register to vote in Indiana was Oct. 9. You can find out if you are registered at IndianaVoters.IN.gov. If you are not registered, you can sign up here, though you will not be able to vote in Tuesday's election.
Where Do I Vote?
Find your voting location at IndianaVoters.IN.gov. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kentucky
Who/What Am I Voting For?
Here are sample ballots for Boone (PDF), Campbell and Kenton counties.
Kentucky's key ballot initiative is whether to enact Marsy's Law, which is intended to give more rights to crime victims. However, in August a group of attorneys sued to stop the measure from appearing on the November ballot, stating its language is "too vague." A judge agreed, saying the Secretary of State's office could still count the votes, but the tally would not count until any appeals of the decision had been exhausted, WFPL reports.
Both sides have filed motions asking the Kentucky Supreme Court to take up the matter. The sides have until Nov. 24 to respond to the filings, meaning the Bluegrass State might not have an answer on Marsy's Law until well after Election Day.
Am I Registered To Vote?
The deadline to register to vote in Kentucky was Oct. 9. Find out if you are registered by entering your first and last name and date of birth into the form on the Kentucky State Board of Elections' website.
Not registered? Get started now (though you won't be able to vote in Tuesday's election).
Where Do I Vote?
Know where to go by entering your first and last name, as well as your date of birth, into this form. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
