Franklin County commissioners approve early voter outreach despite dispute
After two years of contention, the Franklin County commissioners signed off Tuesday on a plan to support early voter outreach efforts for the general election.
The $420,000 allocation was approved by two of the three members of the Board of Commissioners, John O’Grady and Marilyn Brown. Commissioner Kevin Boyce voted against the resolution, expressing concerns over outreach to minority publications and senior residents.
Boyce criticized the county election board’s lack of focus concerning minority media outlets and seniors, especially those without TV and internet access.
“It’s not good enough to tell me you have a minority plan, and if I can’t see it in the plan you got put forward, then I question what you’re really going to do,” Boyce said.
Boyce also questioned if the ads, outlined in a script, would include COVID-19 standards, polling information and other county-specific details.
County Board Director Ed Leonard said the ads will address how eligible residents can register to vote and update their registration information online, and any modifications can be made to the elections board. And while plans to incorporate minority publications and seniors isn’t in the works, Leonard said the board will look to carve a strategy out.
“I think the content is important, and there’s a lack of minority outreach in this appropriation and anything specific to Franklin County,” Boyce said.
Final approval by the commissioners was in question earlier this month, after the elections board agreed to spend $350,000 for television advertisements, $25,000 each for digital and radio ads, and $10,000 each for two consultants – one Democrat and one Republican – to handle ad placements and secure additional commitments for free public service announcements produced by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
The elections board vote on the issue was unanimous, with Republican members saying that the ad spending was necessary this year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the postponement and ultimate mail-in-balloting required during the primary election and the need to promote early absentee submissions for the general election.