Wood County voters are anticipated to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 election at a higher turnout rate than that of Ohio’s voter turnout rate, according to historical data.

The data comes from a comparison of voter turnout data from public records in Ohio between Wood County voter turnout.

Typically, state-wide voter turnout in Ohio is typically less than 50% during non-presidential election years. But during a presidential election year, voter turnout in Ohio is roughly 70%.

However, in Wood County, voter turnout in non-presidential election years is typically near 60% of registered voters, and about 80% during a presidential election year.

BG Falcon Media reached out to the Wood County Board of Election to see why county voters here participate in elections at higher rates than the rest of the state.

Terry Burton, the director of the Wood County Board of Elections, said the board neither controls election participation rates or influences election outcomes.

“From the board of elections standpoint, our job is to administer the election, not to control it in any way,” said Burton. “So, while we certainly try to provide voter registration and make it as easy as possible for people to go through the process, we really don’t have any role with encouraging or discouraging participation.”

However, Burton said there is a possible reason why Wood County voters typically turn out at higher rates.

“I think you would likely, and I say likely as it’s not guaranteed, find a higher percentage of participation in mid-level counties, as far as population-wise,” he said. “There’s a lot of strong communities here in Wood County, and people feel a sense of community not only in the cities, but in the villages, and I think that drives people to be more interested in participating in the process.”

Burton said he believes rural areas like Wood County generally participate in voting at a slightly higher level than metro areas.

With more people expected to participate in this year’s presidential election, BGSU Votes, an organization on BGSU’s campus, is helping students with voter and election resources.

Lyndsey Johns, a graduate assistant in the Marvin Center, the university center that assists with with BGSU Votes, said the organization is non-partisan, led by students and has a focus on voter and political engagement.

“We want to increase students’ understanding of democracy, politics, policymaking and social action. We’re a campus resource for election information,” said Johns.

To help increase voter turnout, Johns said BGSU Votes is focused on ensuring students are completing voting plans and understanding their options for how to vote since the voter registration deadline has passed.

“Understanding how the absentee ballot request in Ohio works—that’s a viable option for voting in this upcoming election, as well as early voting,” said Johns. “Whether that is in-person on election day, with an absentee ballot, early voting in Wood County or at their home board of elections.”

A new initiative for BGSU Votes this year is a daily walk to the polls, as previously reported by Falcon Media.

“Students who are registered [to vote] in Wood County can walk with a volunteer to the Wood County Board of Elections to early vote,” said Johns. “Just to get students engaged in the early voting process and make it easy for them to understand how to do that.”

Voters can join the walk at the BGSU letters from Monday through Friday at noon until Nov. 1.

Though Burton said his office is anticipating a typical voter turnout year during this election cycle, Johns said she’s hopeful to see an increase in participation.

“I think there’s a lot of energy on campus towards voting and civic engagement, so I’m hopeful that kind of influences the way Wood County turns out to vote. And again, I’m hopeful this year that with BGSU Votes’ efforts to let students know about their voting options, that we can continue to see an increase in that number in Wood County,” said Johns.

Both Burton and Johns said it’s important for students’ voices to be heard, no matter their political affiliation.

“It’s not an official position of our office, but certainly as any person involved in government, I think it’s essential citizens have a voice in government, and voting is probably the most tangible way of participating to have a voice,” Burton said.

One BGSU student who plans to take the advice of Burton and Johns and cast a vote in the election is Matthew McCrae.

“Why I’m voting is I just want to participate and have a voice,” said McCrae. “I think it’s important to have your opinion out there and vote for stuff that matters that can affect your life or family.”

Another fellow BGSU student said voting is an opportunity to make a difference.

“I think no matter how you’re voting, you should take the opportunity to let your voice be heard because even one vote can make a difference in what happens to the country,” said Anabelle Makelim.