National Voter Registration Day was last week, and as we approach the beginning of early voting for this year’s general election, it’s important to make your plan to vote.

Because of the global pandemic, this year’s election promises to be different than any we have experienced in our lifetime. As the former Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, I know our elections system is prepared to handle these challenges.

First and foremost, make sure you are registered. Forms are easily available at the Board of Elections (BOE) website and office, at library branches and in many other locations across the county. You can also now register online. The deadline to register to be eligible to vote in this year’s election is Oct. 5.

Next, know that you have options in how to cast your ballot. Absentee mail and in-person early voting begins Oct. 6 in Ohio. This year, with many of us working from home, mail-in voting will be an attractive and secure choice for voters. Send your ballot application to the Board of Elections as soon as possible – regrettably, in Ohio you still need to fill out a physical application. You can find the form on the BOE website. Then the board will mail you your ballot, which you can fill out in the comfort of your home and mail back to the board or deliver to the drop box at the Board’s offices, 1700 Morse Rd. in Columbus.  

And there are more options. In-person early voting will be offered starting Oct. 6 at the Board of Elections offices on the North Side of Columbus. Dates and hours can be found on the BOE’s website here.  Just show up with your proper ID, which can include a driver license, military ID, utility bill or bank statement, and cast your ballot

Finally, election day is Nov. 3, and you can go to your local poll location to vote. The Board is ensuring the health and safety of voters and poll workers by making available personal protection equipment at every poll location, including masks, hand sanitizer, and face shields.  

Also, consider being a poll worker this election. The pandemic has led to a critical shortage of these unsung hero’s, who help ensure that our elections are safe, secure and accurate for everyone in our community. Information on how to become a poll worker can be found at www.workelectionday.com.

Elections and voting are essential to the health of our democracy. In these challenging times when so many important issues are confronting us, I urge everyone to make sure their voice is heard and get out and GO VOTE!

Last Call for Informal Reviews

The deadline is rapidly approaching for homeowners to schedule an Informal Value Review with Auditor’s office appraisers to discuss the value of their property.

Informal Value Reviews are part of the Triennial Update, a state-mandated process that updates property values for every parcel in the county to keep them in line with the current real estate market.

This year, reviews can be held virtually or in-person at three satellite locations in Reynoldsburg, Hilliard and Downtown Columbus. In-person informal reviews will end Oct. 2, and virtual informal reviews end Oct. 3. To schedule an informal review and for more information on the Triennial Update, please visit www.your2020homevalue.org.

After considering the information presented by homeowners, letters containing final property values will be mailed to everyone who participated in the informal review process or anyone receiving a value change in December. If a homeowner still disagrees with the value, they may file a complaint with the Franklin County Board of Revision before March 31, 2021.

Clown Cones & Confections Wins September True Transactions Award

Clown Cones & Confections in Clinton Township has won the September True Transactions Award for its outstanding record of using accurate scales and scanners in selling its candies, ice creams and cakes.

“Congratulations to the team at Clown Cones and Confections for their flawless record of using accurate scales and scanners in selling a wide variety of tasty ice creams, candies and cakes. Clown Cones & Confections staff ensure customers get all the sweet treats they pay for, a sign of a great business.” Stinziano said.

Clown Cones & Confections features more than 40 flavors of ice cream and a myriad of candies, in addition to cakes and party favors. The store is located at 3431-F Cleveland Ave. in Clinton Township.

Learn the Value of Your Vote

Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, the Auditor’s office has updated the Levy Estimator to help residents understand how proposed levies on the ballot will affect their property taxes.

Levies and bond issues are on the ballot in several jurisdictions across the county, including: Grandview Heights, Minerva Park, Riverlea, Franklin Township, Jackson Township, Truro Township, Gahanna Jefferson Schools, and Pickerington Schools. There is also a county-wide levy on the ballot.

To use the Levy Estimator, visit apps.franklincountyauditor.com/LevyEstimator. After selecting your home’s location or entering a parcel number, the estimator will show both your current and estimated taxes if a levy or bond issue in your jurisdiction passes in the November election.

As a reminder, mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2, or dropped off at the Board of Elections office at 1700 Morse Rd. by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, election day. In-person absentee voting hours can be found on the Franklin County Board of Elections website.

Community Hours

Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly Community Hours meetings where residents can  share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the auditor’s office or any concerns they have.

The meetings continue a practice Stinziano has done since he was first elected to office. Community Hours will be held virtually via facebook @mstinziano at the dates and times listed below. Each week, Auditor Stinziano highlights a local business to support.