Sunday, February 07, 1999
A Saturday primary? Maybe
Earlier vote could also give Ohio clout
BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ohio could have its first weekend election — and be a major player in the 2000 presidential race — if Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell succeeds in changing the date of next year's primary election.
Mr. Blackwell told The Cincinnati Enquirer Saturday he will ask the Ohio General Assembly to move next year's Tuesday, March 21, primary to Saturday, March 4 — pushing Ohio to the front ranks of presidential primary states and ahead of large states such as Texas, California and New York.
“It could do two things — increase turnout and give Ohio more of a say on who is the next president,” said the Cincinnati Republican, who took over last month as Ohio's chief elections officer.
Ohio Senate President Richard Finan, an Evendale Republi can who will have a lot to say about the proposed change, said Saturday it is likely the March 21 date will be changed, “but the question is if we move it up or move it back.”
“Having it March 21 is pointless,” Mr. Finan said. “The presidential race will be over by then. The (presidential) candidates might stop in Ohio to get gas, but that's about it.”
A Saturday election, Mr. Finan said, “might get more people out to vote.”
In 1996, the primary election turnout was only 18 percent statewide.
If Mr. Blackwell can get the Ohio General Assembly to agree to the change, it would be the first time Ohio has held an election on a day other than a Tuesday.
Strategists from both political parties have said the large number of big-state primaries in early to mid-March next year could mean the presidential nominations of both parties will be settled by mid-month.
An early GOP presidential primary might help the Ohio Republican who is likely to be a candidate — House Budget Committee chairman John Kasich of Westerville.
But some Ohio Democrats are pushing legislation to move the primary back to its original May date.
In 1995, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill saying primaries would be held in March in presidential years and May in non-presidential years.
Mr. Blackwell said his pro posal for an early Saturday primary is likely to be opposed by some county elections officials and some county party officials who believe it won't give them enough time to put together candidate slates.
But Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman Tim Burke, who is also chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, said he thinks the Blackwell plan is “a great idea.”
“It would be a great experiment to see if a weekend election would get more people out to vote,” Mr. Burke said.
Are Clintons protecting or using Chelsea?
A Saturday primary? Maybe
Should Cincinnati sue gunmakers?
Legal claims rest on negligence or nuisance
'Smart guns' are not answer, some experts say
TOUCHED BY TRAGEDIES
Census miscounts cost locals
Sampler Weekend spreads arts Tristate-wide
Fine Arts Sampler: Museum & Gallery Highlights
Fine Arts Sampler: Sunday schedule
Fine Arts Sampler: Saturday schedule
Hallmark's Hall of Fame tradition
Bishop saluted for race summit
Imagemaker Award winners
Trench cave-in survivor faces long rehab
The things we all take for granted
Clinton not Republicans' only problem
No slowing road work sometimes
Bauer may not have shot, but will have say
Courts step up to a new home
Deals before death grow
Fairfield police take aim at rare feat: accreditation
Furniture takes over at Turfway
Gadd enters not-guilty plea
Heat turned up for adult shops
Politicians move mementos of home
Skater keeps cool on ice
TRISTATE DIGEST
