“A board member made a motion,” explains Elections Board Director Tara Hupp, “that the Washington County Board of Elections would not be open the weekend – the Saturday, Sunday and Monday prior to the election for in-office absentee voting. A board member seconded that motion…went to a roll call – a verbal vote by each board member. Two board members voted ‘yes’ in favor; two board members voted ‘no,’ against the motion.”

 

Then, Hupp says, a second motion that would allow early voting those last three days also resulted in a two-two tie. Both votes fell along party lines.  

 

The two ties mean the matter will be submitted to Secretary of State Jon Husted for a decision. Hupp says it's too early to say how Husted will decide. He has fourteen days to do so.

 

In the meantime, the Secretary of State has appealed the district court ruling to the US Supreme Court.  No word yet on whether the high court will hear the case prior to the election.    

 

Hupp said the situation is difficult because people want answers. As it stands now, early voting will continue until Friday, November 2, at 6:00 p.m. However, that could still change.