CINCINNATI — If you're considering mailing in your vote for the presidential election and some heated local races, here are some things to keep in mind.

Election Day is quickly approaching, and there are looming deadlines. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 election for anyone voting in-person, by absentee ballot, or mail-in vote. Absentee ballots will be mailed out Oct. 6.

No matter how you plan on voting, check out your county’s board of elections make website to get all of your local information, who and what is on the ballot, and what you need to do to vote to ensure your vote is counted.

However, the debate has been intense recently over the concern over the mail-in method and potential delays for counted votes.

That is why Bob Driehaus, managing member of Good Government Group (G3), a political consulting firm in Cincinnati, said it is a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to spare when mailing in your vote and make sure you fill out everything. And, he is taking heed to his own advice.

“Double- and triple-check that you have filled out all the yellow boxes and signed and sealed your ballot so that it can be counted. I have requested a mail-in ballot, and I plan to personally deliver it to the drop-box at the board of elections as soon as possible. If you can’t drop off your ballot, mail it as early as possible. And if you plan to vote on Election Day, be sure to allow for lots of time in case there is a long line or other delays,” said Driehaus, who, along with former Rep. Steve Driehaus, and political consultant, Kevin Tighe, founded G3 in 2018.

Their collective goal in creating the consulting firm, he said, was to “help the best candidates win office and be successful at all levels of government; to help people and organizations make our communities better places to live and work through legislation; and to work with nonprofits that are trying to make the world a better place, providing communications and marketing help that supports their missions.”

Further, the firm strives to educate the public about why it is so important to cast your vote, whether in person or by mail, especially in a swing state like Ohio.

“Everyone who can vote must vote. The future of our democracy depends on it,” he said.

“As citizens, we have the right – not the privilege – to vote,” Driehaus continued. “The very idea that some politicians want to suppress the vote for their gain infuriates me. Because of the Electoral College, the presidency may be decided by very slim margins in a few swing states, including Ohio. Hamilton County can play a critical role in deciding our next president. Control of our county commission and the common pleas court will be decided. Judges will set the tone for administering criminal justice in a more fair way or perpetuating injustice. It’s critical that we all have a chance to decide.”

However, Driehaus said he does have concerns about mail-in votes this election.

“I have serious concerns that the president’s service cuts to the Postal Service will delay voters receiving their ballots and delay their delivery to boards of election,” he said, adding that he does have confidence in the postal workers, that they will work hard to eventually deliver all the ballots, and for election officials to count them.

Further, he does believe that the expansion of mail-in voting will translate into a higher voter turnout overall this election.

In a statement, the United States Postal Service told Spectrum News 1 Cincinnati that they are committed to making sure the election process they are charged with is a smooth process, and mail-in votes will not delay results.

“The United States Postal Service is committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process when public policymakers choose to utilize us as a part of their election system. We provide election officials with a secure, efficient, and effective means to enable citizens to participate in elections,” said Naddia Dhalai, strategic communication specialist for the Northern Ohio District & Ohio Valley District for USPS, in the statement.

“The Postal Service is committed to delivering election mail in a timely manner. We employ a robust and proven process to ensure proper handling of all election mail, including ballots,” she continued. “This includes close coordination and partnerships with election officials at the local and state levels. As we anticipate that many voters may choose to use the mail to participate in the upcoming elections due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are conducting and will continue to proactively conduct outreach with state and local election officials and secretaries of state so that they can make informed decisions and educate the public about what they can expect when using the mail to vote.”

“As part of these outreach efforts, we will discuss our delivery processes and will consult with election officials about how they can design their mailings in a manner that comports with postal regulations, improves mail-piece visibility and ensures efficient processing and delivery,” she assured.

The USPS vows to not only deliver in a timely manner, she said, but also beginning Oct. 1, they will -offer additional resources, like more transportation, to their post offices statewide.

For the voter’s part, Dhalai relayed the USPS’s advice for anyone planning on voting by mail this November. 

• In jurisdictions that require eligible voters to request a ballot in order to receive one through the mail, the USPS recommends that domestic, non-military voters request their ballot as early as their jurisdiction allows.
• Domestic, non-military voters should mail their completed ballots before Election Day and at least one week prior to Ohio's deadline.
• Voters should explore the resources available from their local election officials for information about deadlines, rules, policies and other requirements locally.

Have more questions? Reach out to your local board of elections. 

However, if you are still leery about your vote arriving on time, every Kroger store across Ohio — 131 locations — will be giving a helping hand to voters while they shop for groceries by providing absentee ballot request forms in-store at the customer service desk.

“Running a successful election requires much more than the dedicated professionals at our county boards of elections, it takes the community-at-large,” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a press release regarding Kroger’s voting initiative. “Whether you’re serving as a poll worker, volunteering at your county board, or a local business helping your fellow Ohioans get registered to vote, you’re making a difference.”

For registration, mail-in voting, and general election information, visit https://www.vote.org. For full election coverage, visit Spectrum News 1 Ohio’s special section, Decision 2020.