County looks at online voter registration

Van Wert independent

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners is on board with an initiative from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office to establish online voter registration in Ohio.

The commissioners met with County Election Director Linda Stutz and Tim Monaco from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday on the issue.

Stutz said Van Wert County was the 48th county to look at online registration, according to Monaco, who was asking that commissioners write letters of support to State Senator Cliff Hite and State Representative Tony Burkley, as well as Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Stutz said online registration would provide an easier way for Ohioans to register to vote. “It will make it easier for people to register to vote by just going online and fill out the form,” she said, noting that the online registration would be linked to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles site, which state officials say would help increase security.

Stutz said online voter registration is basically an extension of voters’ current ability to amend voter information, such as address changes, online.

The county elections director also noted that online registration would save significant money over the current paper form system, adding that cost estimates for the current system are $2.34 per form, while the cost for online registration would decrease to approximately 50 cents per person.

The commissioners agreed to send letters of support for the online registration proposal.

Also on Tuesday, the commissioners held its annual budget hearing, with no one attending to provide comments on the upcoming budget.

The commissioners also met with Bob Evans, ditch expert with the County Engineer’s Office; Julie Buggle from the Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District; and Jeff Ankney from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to talk about options county residents have for ditch projects.

Commissioners also held a public forum/open house on electric aggregation with Bill Bradish of Palmer Energy Company, the company that handles the county’s aggregation program.

Just three people showed up for the session, which was held to provide more information on electric aggregation to county residents.