Ohioans Cast 1.6 Million Ballots Before Tuesday Vote

Ohioans have already cast more than 1.6 million early or absentee ballots. That number includes nearly 200,000 votes from Southwest Ohio. Election Day arrives Tuesday.

Campaign ads have largely stopped airing. Rallies have concluded. Voters in the region now turn to the polls with varying levels of confidence. Some say they are tired of the current political climate.

Mary Carson, a Westwood reverend with Westside Churches United, described the past decade as challenging. "It's been such a challenging almost ten years now!" she said. Other voters expressed excitement for a new style of Republican leadership.

One voter told reporters that relying on hope and prayer has gone on too long. "Let's hear some concrete stuff!" the voter said. Isaac Kemp, a voter still deciding, said he does not like either major candidate. He framed his choice as selecting the person he likes least.

"It's really a question of two bad choices," Kemp said. Independent voter Percy Fleming attended Vivek Ramaswamy's final campaign stop Monday. Fleming said he is focused on taxes, infrastructure, and data centers. He hopes for honesty from elected officials.

Warren County Republican Chairman Christian Mays said early turnout is encouraging for Republicans. "Republicans are excited, they're energized, and they've shown up to vote," Mays said. "And tomorrow is just going to be a bonus."

At an election-eve church gathering, Mimi Chamberlin, a Westwood reverend with the United Church of Christ, spoke about the difficulty of making ends meet. "We need leaders to help us respond to those issues, not bring us to war!" Chamberlin said. Damon Johnson, a first-time voter, asked for lower prices on gas, eggs, and milk. Carson said she hopes new policies will reflect care for neighbors regardless of who wins. Millions of dollars in ads and months of campaigning end Tuesday.