YOUNGSTOWN - As time runs out for Ohioans to cast early votes before Tuesday’s Election Day, Mahoning County is still behind 86 of the state’s 88 counties when it comes to returning absentee ballots.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, as of noon Wednesday 9,267 of the 23,928 absentee ballots requested in Mahoning County had not been returned.

That translates to only 61% of the requested absentees have been received by the Board of Elections.  The only Ohio county with a worse return rate is Allen County in Western Ohio with a return rate of 45%.  The statewide return average is 72%.

As of Wednesday, Trumbull County had a 79% return rate, and Columbiana County had received 74% of the absentee ballots.

Here in Ohio, absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 4, or

Many absentee ballots were sent to Mahoning County voters late because of printing delays. 

No matter where you live in Ohio, absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 4 or returned to your board of elections or the drop box by 7:30 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, November 5.

The drive-up drop box in Mahoning County is in the circle parking lot outside the Board of Elections offices at 345 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown.

A bipartisan team of election workers periodically collects all Voted Absentee Ballots from the drop box throughout the business day.

Mahoning County Elections Director Tom McCabe said all ballots will be counted, but absentee voters can still vote early by coming into the board office and have their absentee ballot canceled if they have any concerns.

There are only four more days of early in-person voting.

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS:

7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. through Friday.

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, Nov 2

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

The polls open on Tuesday, November 5 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m.