By ROBERT DEFRANK Times Leader Staff Writer

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Early voting for the March 17 primary election in Ohio began Wednesday at the Belmont County Board of Elections office along U.S. 40.

Voting stations are set up there and at other local county elections board headquarters, and residents are invited to come and cast their ballots.

“It started this morning at 8 a.m.,” Belmont County elections Director Kelly McCabe said, adding that several early voters had turned out Wednesday.

Board member Frankie Carnes said officials expect the number of early voters to increase as Election Day approaches. Board member Michael Shaheen said many in the public are not used to considering that they have the opportunity to vote early. He said the board is spreading the news.

“We’re open for business,” he said.

Visitors to the board office Wednesday included Fred and Judy Bennett of Colerain, who picked up their absentee ballots. They said they were very impressed with the service and efficiency of the elections board, now settled into its new location in a building formerly owned by The Health Plan.

“We’ve been voting absentees for a number of years now,” Judy Bennett said.

“You don’t have to wait in line,” Fred Bennett added.

McCabe said early voting will be an option until March 16, the day before Election Day.

“It closes at 2 p.m.,” she said.

Voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through March 6. Voting is from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. March 7, a Saturday; 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. March 9 through March 13; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 15; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 16.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, which also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day. Absentee ballots can be dropped off up until 7:30 p.m. that day.

In other matters, Assistant Director Aaron Moore reported a successful drive to recruit poll workers. Board members Carnes, Shaheen, Robert Quirk and Lois Doneson accepted the list Wednesday and will be unable to accept more until the next election.

“Right now, we can’t take anymore,” McCabe said.

“We got enough,” Michael Shaheen said. “Now we’re good.”

In other matters, on Feb. 24 board of elections representatives will visit the county’s nursing homes to deliver absentee ballots and provide assistance.

“If people requested a ballot … some people don’t need any help. They get their ballots delivered to them and the team brings it back. If people require help, the team of one Democrat and one Republican work together to help them,” McCabe said.

McCabe added that the board will test its vote tabulation system at 10 a.m. March 10.

“We just test the equipment to make sure it tabulates properly,” she said.

The next meeting will be held March 17, Election Day. The board members will be on-location all day. The board offices are at 52180 National Road East, St. Clairsville.