Time for voters to turn their attention to next election

We commend the voters of Bay Village and Westlake for their careful attention to the complex issues surrounding the single-issue election held Aug. 8, 2023. The proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution (Issue 1) was defeated in every precinct in both cities and voter turnout was unusually high for a summer election, according to the unofficial reports of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Voters needed to do considerable homework to evaluate the actual ballot language and the perplexing advertising, while following several changes in Ohio’s voting laws. Soon voters will have to go through these same steps to vote on other constitutional amendments, as well as candidates and local issues, on the ballot for the General Election, Nov. 7, 2023.

Your local League of Women Voters chapters (LWV) are ready to assist citizens with the basics of voter registration (due Oct. 10) and applications for vote-by-mail ballots (due Oct. 31). As we do for every election, we will urge candidates to describe their qualifications to voters and we will produce pros and cons about the issues for our Vote411.org website.

The Westlake-North Olmsted and Bay Village chapters will sponsor forums for candidates and about issues. We will announce dates and times for these events in the Observer and other media.

Young people who will turn 18 by Nov. 7, 2023, can register to vote now (and until Oct. 10) to be ready for their first voting experience. College students need to decide whether to vote using their campus address or with their home address as this determines how to complete a vote-by-mail application.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, so we welcome new members who would like to extend our ability to provide wide-ranging voter services and education. Membership details are at www.lwvgreatercleveland.org.