ROSSFORD, Ohio — Polls have been busy on Election Day, and WTOL 11 checked in at Rossford Elementary, where voters from both the city of Rossford and Perrysburg Township cast their ballots.
Polling locations opened at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and remain open until 7:30 p.m.
While speaking to voters, WTOL 11 ran into Ellie Miller, a 17-year-old high school student who said she was tagging along with her mom to get a better understanding of the process that she will be able to take part in next year.
"I wanted to learn how to vote for the next election and just wanted to know who was running, what they're about," she said. "And also learn about Issue 1 and Issue 2 and just learn about that."
There are plenty of local elected officials and local levies or bond issues on the ballots, but the driving focus of the day for many voters has been both Issue 1 and Issue 2.
Issue 1 will enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Issue 2 will legalize recreational cannabis use in Ohio.
Nearly every voter WTOL 11 spoke with at Rossford Elementary said the reason they made time to get to the polls was to vote on Issue 1.
"I think, especially on Issue 1, I think it was a very big issue," said Philip Barone, who said he voted no on Issue 1. "We're churchgoers and it was brought up several times in church. I think it's a big deal to protect lives. That's what we should be doing as parents."
If Issue 1 passes, it will go into effect in 30 days.
While casting a ballot is a key part of the democratic process, election days wouldn't be able to operate without the work of hundreds of volunteer poll workers.
Poll workers WTOL 11 spoke with at Rossford Elementary on Tuesday were on a single shift from 5:30 a.m. until about 8 p.m., 30 minutes after the polls close.
With a constant stream of voters, poll worker Douglas Williams said the time goes by quickly.
"Just keep moving around and do whatever," said Williams, who was working his 25th Election Day as a volunteer. "If stuff breaks down or a machine will break down, stuff to keep us busy."