What’s on the ballot, polling info, more

On May 4, 2021

Ohio voters head to the polls Tuesday as most counties have issues on the ballot for the state’s May 4 primary election.Although there are no statewide issues, there are still some local issues — and controversial ones at that — up for vote.WHEN DO POLLS OPEN?Ohio’s polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.You are still permitted to vote as long as you’re in line before polls close at 7:30 p.m.Click here to find a polling location.WHAT SHOULD I BRING? You need to bring an acceptable ID in order to vote Tuesday. There are several types of valid ID in the state of Ohio. Click here to view the full list.WHAT TYPE OF TURNOUT IS EXPECTED?Turnout is both strong and weak. Strong when compared to the two previous primaries and not-so-strong when matched against general election numbers.Whether it’s a controversial housing issue or the mayoral race, normally reliable pundits are responding to crystal ball inquiries by saying, “Your guess is as good as mine.”Four years ago, primary turnout was 11%. Eight years ago, 5%. This time it could approach 20%.WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?It depends on where you live.Cincinnati has several big races to watch out for, notably the mayor’s race.City voters will select their preferences for replacing John Cranley, who hits his term limit as Cincinnati’s mayor.There are six candidates. You could think of it as two packs of a Cincinnati three-way.The most recognizable by name are Councilman David Mann, Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval and State Sen. Cecil Thomas. The other three hoping to become most recognizable are Gavi Begtrup, Herman Najoli and Raffel Prophett.In the race to run City Hall, only two of the six will live to fight another day, as they say.There’s also Issue 3, or Cincinnati’s affordable housing amendment — one of the most contentious issues in recent memory.The ballot item would require the city of Cincinnati to put $50 million a year into a trust fund for affordable housing.“Issue 3 is the idea of thousands of Cincinnatians,” Josh Spring said.Spring is one of the petitioners who said the trust fund would build and maintain housing that’s affordable for 41% of Cincinnatians.The message from opponents is if the measure passes it will lead to major cuts to the budget.“As someone who helps put together the budget each year, $50 million being diverted out of our general revenue fund is almost unfathomable. I don’t know where we would start,” City Councilman Greg Landsman said.Cincinnati’s Issues 1 and 2 deal with how City Hall handles corruption. Both pertain to council members who have been indicted for crimes related to their jobs.Both include provisions to prevent an indicted council member from changing his or her successor designee.Issue 1 would require the city to appoint a special prosecutor to litigate the case against an indicted council member.Issue 2 would gives City Council the authority to suspend a member who has been indicted. It also calls for ethics training for all members within 60 days of taking office.There are no statewide races. Below are sample ballots by county:Adams CountyBrown CountyButler CountyClermont CountyClinton CountyHamilton CountyHighland CountyWarren County

CINCINNATI —

Ohio voters head to the polls Tuesday as most counties have issues on the ballot for the state’s May 4 primary election.

Although there are no statewide issues, there are still some local issues — and controversial ones at that — up for vote.

WHEN DO POLLS OPEN?

Ohio’s polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

You are still permitted to vote as long as you’re in line before polls close at 7:30 p.m.

Click here to find a polling location.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

You need to bring an acceptable ID in order to vote Tuesday. There are several types of valid ID in the state of Ohio.

Click here to view the full list.

WHAT TYPE OF TURNOUT IS EXPECTED?

Turnout is both strong and weak. Strong when compared to the two previous primaries and not-so-strong when matched against general election numbers.

Whether it’s a controversial housing issue or the mayoral race, normally reliable pundits are responding to crystal ball inquiries by saying, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Four years ago, primary turnout was 11%. Eight years ago, 5%. This time it could approach 20%.

WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?

It depends on where you live.

Cincinnati has several big races to watch out for, notably the mayor’s race.

City voters will select their preferences for replacing John Cranley, who hits his term limit as Cincinnati’s mayor.

There are six candidates. You could think of it as two packs of a Cincinnati three-way.

The most recognizable by name are Councilman David Mann, Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval and State Sen. Cecil Thomas. The other three hoping to become most recognizable are Gavi Begtrup, Herman Najoli and Raffel Prophett.

In the race to run City Hall, only two of the six will live to fight another day, as they say.

There’s also Issue 3, or Cincinnati’s affordable housing amendment — one of the most contentious issues in recent memory.

The ballot item would require the city of Cincinnati to put $50 million a year into a trust fund for affordable housing.

“Issue 3 is the idea of thousands of Cincinnatians,” Josh Spring said.

Spring is one of the petitioners who said the trust fund would build and maintain housing that’s affordable for 41% of Cincinnatians.

The message from opponents is if the measure passes it will lead to major cuts to the budget.

“As someone who helps put together the budget each year, $50 million being diverted out of our general revenue fund is almost unfathomable. I don’t know where we would start,” City Councilman Greg Landsman said.

Cincinnati’s Issues 1 and 2 deal with how City Hall handles corruption. Both pertain to council members who have been indicted for crimes related to their jobs.

Both include provisions to prevent an indicted council member from changing his or her successor designee.

Issue 1 would require the city to appoint a special prosecutor to litigate the case against an indicted council member.

Issue 2 would gives City Council the authority to suspend a member who has been indicted. It also calls for ethics training for all members within 60 days of taking office.

There are no statewide races. Below are sample ballots by county: