Election Update: Absentee Ballots Now Available, In-Office Voting Starts Nov. 21.

The Lorain County Board of Elections has determined that absentee voting for the Dec. 6 runoff election is legally permitted before voting from the Nov. 8 election is certified.

Candidates in a Dec. 6 runoff race for .

The Board of Elections board of directors met Nov. 17 and determined that  voters can now participate in absentee voting by mail or at the Lorain County Board of Elections.

“The board received two legal opinions,” Board of Elections Director Paul Adams said. “One from the Avon Lake law director and one from the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office. Both of those opinions saw no problem with starting absentee voting before (the Nov. 8) election is certified.”

Adams said there are several ways voters can request an absentee ballot.

“They can request a ballot via the mail, website call and have it mailed to them,” Adams said. He said his office has been receiving requests. The Board of Elections will not begin sending out ballots.

Absentee ballots can be dropped off by the voter or a voter’s relative only at the  Board of Elections during regular business hours or on Election Day, when the office is open until 7:30 p.m.

The office is located at 1985 North Ridge Rd. East in Lorain.

Absentee ballots that are mailed back must be postmarked by Dec. 5 and arrive at the board of elections office within 10 days of the election (Dec. 16).

Absentee voting can also be done at the Board of Elections office starting Monday, Nov. 21 during regular business hours until Dec. 1. Dec. 2 is last day for in-office voting; the office will be open that day until 6 p.m.

Adams said this is the first time in Lorain County history this situation has occured.

"I want to stress the Board was waiting on a legal opinion," Adams said. "This is the first time this has happened in Lorain County. If the election had been within recount range, I'm not sure what would happen."

Uncertified results had Zuber earning approximately 40 percent of the vote, Zilka 39 percent and Rob Berner 21 percent.

Adams said that for those who prefer to vote on Dec. 6, they will be voting at their regular polling locations from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Click here for more information on absentee voting requirements.