T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA The Belmont County Republican campaign headquarters opens its doors with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. From left are county party Executive Committee member Bob Blinco, Vice Chairman Randall Alderman, Chairman Sheriff Dave Lucas, county Commissioner Josh Meyer, party Treasurer Kamron Chervenak, county Clerk of Courts Laura Zupko, sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Zusack and county Commissioner J.P. Dutton.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Republican Party’s campaign headquarters opened its doors Monday morning.

The headquarters held a ribbon cutting with several county Republican officials present. It will serve as a central location for party members to receive yard signs as well as information and resources about the Republican candidates running in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

“You kind of have to have a central location for people to be able to get all of the information in one place. And we have all of the signs, so if they want a sign to support a particular candidate they won’t have to run around the entire county to try and find it,” county party Vice Chairman Randall Alderman said.

The headquarters will be open 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays and noon until 4 p.m. Saturdays at 113 W. Main St. in St. Clairsville — the county seat.

“A headquarters in every county is important because people want to know where they can get signs and information about the candidates from,” Ohio Rep. Don Jones, R-Freeport, said. “Both parties usually have headquarters, and it’s important for everyone to do their homework and due diligence to find out about their candidates. Don’t just take what you see on social media and TV. Go and find somebody that has more factual information, and a county headquarters is usually where they can get that at.”

Jones said all elections are important, but he believes this upcoming election is a defining time for the country. He reinforced the idea that everybody should go vote in November.

“There are good candidates on both sides of the aisle and there are bad candidates on both sides of the aisle, but I think people really need to get out and exercise their right to vote,” Jones said.

He added that Oct. 7 is the last day to register to vote. According to Ohio.gov you can register to vote at any county board of elections or at the Secretary of State’s Office, branch registration offices or locations established by a board of elections, any public high school or vocational school, the office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles, offices of designated agencies that provide public assistance or disability programs, public libraries, county treasurers’ offices and online. Go to ohiosos.gov/elections and follow the steps provided.

Jones said Oct. 8 is the first day for early, in-person voting, which he said he plans to do. He believes there is no reason anybody shouldn’t be voting in the upcoming election with the different methods of voting that are available.

“Educate yourself about the candidates and their positions. I think that people will find that there are appealing candidates on both sides if they get to figure out who they are, but a lot of times people don’t take the time,” Jones said. “Make sure you get out and vote, and if you don’t vote you really don’t have a leg to stand on to complain.”

Belmont County Republican Party Chairman Sheriff Dave Lucas said that having a headquarters centrally located is crucial to the community. The retiring sheriff said he also believes it is important for the community to re-elect Jones as well as U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli. Lucas added that like Jones and Rulli, the candidates running at the local level truly represent the grassroots of Belmont County.

“They support us and do a lot for us, so it is our responsibility to help and keep them in their position,” Lucas said.

He added that he wished to thank the members of the executive committee for the Republican Party of Belmont County for their continued hard work during this election cycle.