In Ohio, the Franklin County Board of Elections was split down the middle on allowing its residents to vote on the weekend leading up to the November general election. Well, the Columbus Dispatch reports Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner broke the tie and solved that problem when she yesterday declared weekend voting necessary.

“I believe it is reasonable to anticipate that demand for in-person absentee voting will be even greater for the general election,” she wrote in her decision.

Political organizations, candidates and elections officials are urging voters to come early to avoid long lines expected for the Nov. 4 presidential election, Brunner wrote.

The county needs to accommodate the work schedules of as many voters as possible, she said, because of the county’s large number of registered voters and its “complex economy.”

The money quote in the article comes from Doug Preisse, one of the two members of the Board of Elections opposing weekend voting because of increased costs and possible conflicts at Veterans Memorial, pictured above, where early voting would take place:

“At some point, we’re going to roll a voting booth up to everyone’s house,” he said. “It certainly is possible to have all voting locations open 24 hours a day, but is it practical?”

We can’t answer that question. But one thing we know for sure is that Tuesday voting isn’t always practical. Why do we vote on Tuesday? Click here to find out.

Hat tip to reader Patrick for sending along this piece of news. Photo of Franklin County Veterans Memorial via jfsl3 on Flickr.

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