Board of Elections Hosts Open House

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Area residents have the opportunity to experience the democratic process first-hand. The Muskingum County Board of Elections is hosting an open house today.

Timothy Thompson, Director of the Board of Elections, says that visitors can expect a brief tour of the facility.

“When people come out to visit, we can show them the office and show them where they can vote while they’re here at the office; starting tomorrow, of course. And then, we can show them some of the operations that we have; so they can be assured that their ballots are counted correctly and safe until they are counted.”

In recent months, national controversy has been sparked over the issue of ballot security. Locally, voters are being assured that their vote counts–and it’s safe.

“At the end of the day when the polls are closed, a Democrat and a Republican will bring the ballots back to us; and at that point we will keep the ballots in a ballot room. And we will upload the memory cards to our tabulator and tabulate at that point. Up until that point, there are no ballots that are tabulated and no ballots are touched.”

Early voting begins tomorrow at 8 AM. The Board of Elections will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM for the remainder of the week.