Week in Review: Nov. 3, 2024

ELECTIONS 2024

Any completed absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 4, in order to be counted, or returned in-person to the board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Mailed ballots must be received by the board of elections by Saturday, Nov. 9. Ballots can also be cast early in-person at boards of elections through Sunday. The voting schedule this weekend is as follows:

- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.

There is no in-person voting on Monday, Nov. 4. Polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

While there are 116 legislative seats up for election on the November ballot, 13 of them are all but settled with no opposition for the candidates. Members of the 136th General Assembly who next week will see their election become all but a formality include several House candidates running for re-election: Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus), Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), Elgin Rogers (D-Toledo), Tom Young (R-Centerville) and Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill). Additionally, Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron), appointed mid-term to replace former Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron), is unopposed. Other unopposed candidates who have secured their place in the next Legislature include Democrat Meredith Lawson-Rowe, unopposed in the 5th House District; Democrat Desiree Tims in the 38th House District; and Republican David Thomas in the 65th House District. There is only one unopposed Senate race -- Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) is running to replace Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) in the 12th Senate District. Huffman is unopposed as he seeks to swap seats with Manchester in the 78th House District.

TAXATION

Gov. Mike DeWine's administration announced Monday the approval of assistance for six projects expected to create 415 new jobs and retain 1,118 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The projects are expected to collectively result in nearly $24 million in new payroll and spur nearly $1.1 billion in investments across Ohio.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's (BWC) Special Investigations Department (SID) saved the agency more than $72 million in FY24, BWC Board member Kenneth Haffey said Friday. SID obtained 62 convictions and closed more than 1,300 cases during the fiscal year, Haffey said during the BWC Board's monthly meeting in Columbus. Haffey said about a third of the fraud allegations were from external sources. The BWC Board also accepted a resolution honoring Terry Jacobs for his service on the board. Jacobs is no longer on the board due to "medical challenges," BWC Board Chair Chan Cochran said.