By Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano
I have been fortunate in my career to have served as the Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, as a poll worker and as a member of the Ohio general assembly sponsoring and working on election legislation. Now as your Franklin County Auditor, I take seriously the findings of the National Voter Registration Act that “to vote is a fundamental right” and “it is the duty of the Federal, State, and local governments to promote the exercise of that right.”
Central Ohio has thrived due to both public and private commitments to build the kind of community we want to have. Supporting our elections can be a critical aspect of this tradition. We know that all elections are profoundly important to our community. We decide who makes and enforces our laws and the tax levies that support critical government services. Your Franklin County Auditor office provides a levy estimator to help voters decide these issues on our website at apps.franklincountyauditor.com/LevyEstimator
Local business owners can support the election process in several important ways. First, encourage your colleagues, employees and clients to register to vote and then cast their ballots so their voices are heard. I applaud those businesses that have taken the extra step and supported employees with paid time off to serve as poll workers. I hope everyone will consider following this practice.
A lack of poll workers and a consolidation of precincts caused chaos in many states’ primary elections over the last several months. Even in a normal year, let alone one with a global pandemic, the coordination and polling location “dance” is one that causes confusion and concerns. This can only be avoided if there are enough volunteers from all political parties to maintain polling places in our neighborhoods.
I encourage everyone to make a plan to learn the value of your vote, to GO VOTE, and then take that additional step of asking how you can best serve your neighbors, your community, and your business during this fall’s election.