The Social Sciences Department of the Cleveland Public Library routinely receives questions regarding politics and the upcoming 2008 General Election. Below you will find a sample of frequently asked questions and the answers provided by our staff.
What is the date for the General Election?
Tuesday November 4, 2008
Is there a deadline to register to vote before the November election?
Yes, Monday October 6th, 2008. Visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website to register. For a list of deadlines for other states visit: http://www.rockthevote.com/voting-is-easy/important-dates/
How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote online by visiting the following link: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voter.aspx. Residents of Cuyahoga County can visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website to register. You may also obtain a voter registration form in person from any branch of the Cleveland Public Library as well as any public high school or vocational school and some government offices, such as the Department of Job and Family Services.
How do I find out where I go to vote in Ohio?
Visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website at the following link and click on "Where Do I Vote" link: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voter.aspx. You may also call your County Board of Elections office to find your polling station. The following link contains a list of board office phone numbers for all 88 counties: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/boeDirectory.aspx
Can I vote if I've been convicted of a crime?
According to the Secretary of State's website: "a person currently serving time in jail or prison for a felony conviction cannot register to vote or vote. Additionally, a person who has twice been convicted of a violation of the elections laws is permanently barred from voting in Ohio. An otherwise qualified person convicted of a misdemeanor may vote, and one convicted of a felony may register and vote while on probation or parole or after completing his or her jail or prison sentence."
Source: www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/voterInformation/regToVote.aspx
Can anyone vote via absentee ballot? And what is the process?
In the state of Ohio, anyone can cast an absentee ballot. For details about casting an absentee ballot visit the following link: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/voterInformation/absentee.aspx
How do I vote if I am homeless?
Please contact the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. They are dedicated to helping people exercise their Constitutional right to vote no matter the obstacles. They can be contacted at 216-432-0540 or you can visit their website: http://www.neoch.org/nav/main.htm
What if I just moved and did not get a chance to register in my new district?
You may cast a provisional ballot. For more information on provisional ballots, visit this link: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/voterInformation/provisional.aspx
Is there a website that talks about voting in Ohio?
Yes, visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website at: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voter.aspx
Is there a pamphlet or booklet with detailed information for Ohio voters?
Yes, you may request the 30-page 2008 Ohio Voter Information Guide from any of the Cleveland Public Library branches and the Social Sciences Department or you can call the Ohio Secretary of State's office to request a booklet: 877-767-6446.
Am I required to provide I.D. to vote?
Yes. Under the Ohio Revised Code section 3505.13 voters shall "provide proof of the elector's identity in the form of a current and valid photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck" at their place of voting. Source : http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3505.18.
Who is the Republican Presidential candidate, who is the Democratic Presidential candidate and who is their Vice Presidential running mate?
Democratic Presidential candidate:
Senator Barack H. Obama / VP running mate Senator Joseph Biden
Republican Presidential candidate:
Senator John S. McCain / VP running mate Governor Sarah Palin
Are there any nonpartisan websites that I can use to learn more about the Presidential candidates?
ProCon.org
http://www.2008electionprocon.org/
Project Vote Smart
http://www.votesmart.org/
The League of Women Voters
http://www.lwv.org/
Glass Booth
http://glassbooth.org/
What is the Electoral College?
From Project Vote Smart's website:
"Americans elect the President and Vice-president through a method of indirect popular election. On November 4, 2008, voters cast their ballots for a presidential candidate. However, votes actually count towards a group of electors who pledge to vote for a specific candidate when the Electoral College meets in December. The "Electoral College" is the unofficial term coined in the 1800s for the group of citizens selected by the people to cast votes for President and Vice President.
The presidential/vice-presidential pair who wins the popular vote in any given state receives all* of the state's number of Electoral College votes. In the end, the winner of the race is the candidate who receives a majority (270) of the 538 Electoral College votes. The results of the 2008 election won't be official until the President of the Senate counts the votes out loud at a special joint session of Congress held on January 6, 2009."
Source: http://www.votesmart.org/election_president_what_is_electoral_college.php
Has either of the Presidential candidates written any books?
Yes:
Senator John S. McCain
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life [BJ1533 .C8 M32 2004]
Worth the Fighting For: A Memoir [E840. 8. A3 2002]
Faith of My Fathers [E840. 8. A3 1999]
Senator Barack H. Obama
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream [E901. 1. 023 A3 2006]
Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance [E 185. 97. 023 A3 1995]
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