This is the first election since congressional district boundaries were changed last year and thatâs causing some confusion among voters. Columbus voter Kathleen Hammond cast her ballot at the I.B.E.W. union hall on West 2nd Avenue, near High Street, and wanted to vote for Mary Jo Kilroy. âBecause I think Iâm in the 3rd Congressional District, thatâs why Iâm confused. Her signs are out front, but sheâs not on there," says Hammond. Voting manager on site Ellen Moore says most of the remains in the 15th Congressional District where incumbent Republican Steve Stivers is running against Democrats Pat Lang and Scott Wharton. âThere are a couple of streets in this precinct that are in the third congressional district but many of them have been moved from the third to the 15th within the last redistricting process," says Moore. And that shows how even poll workers can be confused because the area was never in the third, it was in the 15th and now only the precinct between 3rd and 4th Avenues West of High Street is in the 3rd Congressional District. The Board of Elections had sent out postcards explaining the district changes that affect about 600,000 voters in Franklin County. Spokesman Ben Piscitelli says voters also have to stay informed. âIf voters are confused we encourage them to ask poll workers as many questions as possible to clear up that confusion. But itâs the job of the poll worker first and foremost to provide the correct ballot to the voter based upon the address and the information they provide, the voter," says Piscitelli. Republican voter Scott Musuraca is pleased he remains in the 15th congressional district. âNo we stayed in the 15th, we were in the 15th and Iâm glad because I donât belong in the third. Youâre a Republican conservative then? Yes I am," says Musuraca.
Debbie Holmes has worked at WOSU News since 2009. She has hosted All Things Considered, since May 2021. Prior to that she was the host of Morning Edition and a reporter.