Hamilton County voters are casting early ballots at more than double the 2022 midterm pace. Local levies in Terrace Park and Mariemont and a Madeira charter overhaul give east-side residents direct stakes on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 ballot.

Board of Elections data shows early in-person voting during the first eight days jumped 158% among Democrats, 106% among Republicans and 208% among unaffiliated voters compared to the same stretch in 2022, WLWT first reported Oct. 19. The surge extends across Butler, Clermont and Warren counties, where turnout has more than doubled.

In Butler County, more than 11,000 residents voted in person during those first eight days, according to the WLWT report. Nicole Unzicker, director of the Butler County Board of Elections, told the station she has seen a significant jump in early in-person voting.

The trend is flipping how people vote. Mail-in ballots in Butler County are down nearly 30%, WLWT reported, as more voters choose to show up in person.

Sherry Poland, director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, said in an Oct. 12 WLWT report that more residents are choosing in-person voting over mail. At that point, 9,482 Hamilton County voters had cast ballots in the first four days alone, more than two and a half times the 3,616 recorded during the same window in 2022.

Poland tempered expectations about overall turnout. "I don't think we're looking at a historic turnout. I think it will be a good turnout," she told WLWT on Oct. 12.

Statewide, more than 450,000 ballots had been cast as of Oct. 17, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office, as reported by WLWT.

What's on the ballot locally

Terrace Park homeowners will vote on Issue 31, a five-year renewal of the village's 5.58-mill levy for current expenses. The county auditor estimates it collects $713,193 a year, costing $123 per $100,000 of market value, according to the Hamilton County ballot issues document. Terrace Park Village Council voted 5-0 on July 6 to place the renewal on the ballot, the Anderson Mariemont Journal reported. Because it is a renewal, a "yes" vote continues the current rate rather than adding a new charge.

Mariemont voters face Issue 28, a 3.5-mill, five-year renewal for permanent improvements including street repairs, park upgrades and equipment for police and fire departments. The auditor estimates it will collect $310,981 annually, costing $40 per $100,000 of market value, according to the ballot issues document.

In Madeira, Issue 16 asks voters to approve a package of charter amendments. Madeira Council voted 6-0, with one abstention, to place the measure on the ballot, according to the community news site Madeira Explained. The changes would modernize terminology, increase notice for special council meetings from 24 to 48 hours, revise public contracting rules and replace automatic charter protection of three named historic buildings with protection tied to the National Register of Historic Places or a council designation.

How to vote

Early in-person voting at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, 4700 Smith Road in Norwood, continues through Sunday, Nov. 1. Hours Oct. 19 through Oct. 23 are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The deadline to request a mail ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.