It's Election Day 2023: Here are our latest updates on voting, Ohio issues and more

It's Election Day in Ohio. Our journalists will update this file with the latest information on today's voting for Issue 1 on abortion and Issue 2 for recreational marijuana, the Akron Board of Education and suburban mayor's races in Barberton, Green, Norton and Tallmadge.

Polls are open until 7:30 p.m. Check back tonight for results and full coverage.

Ohio Issue 1 results: Abortion amendment dominates today's election

Ohio Issue 2 results: Ohio voters to decide today on legalizing recreational marijuana

Election results could forecast 2024: 3 critical races for President Joe Biden to watch, including Ohio's Issue 1

Early voting turnout may preview tightening Issue 1 race

In the proxy war over abortion rights in August, 22 Ohio counties rejected an effort by Republicans, who knew abortion rights would be on November ballot, to make it harder to amend the state constitution.

Now, with abortion rights plainly on the ballot, those 22 counties are lagging the other 66 in the early vote.

A Beacon Journal analysis of absentee ballots cast through Sunday, the last day of in-person early voting, shows an 11% increase in turnout among the 22 counties that kept it easier in August to enshrine abortions rights in the Ohio Constitution this November. But turnout is nearly double (up 20%) in the 66 counties that wanted to make it harder to amend the constitution.

Our analysis includes Cuyahoga County absentee ballot data from Nov. 3 and 4 that is not reported in the Secretary of State's daily reports.

The data do not tell the whole story of early voting or the current election. People who saw the August Issue 1, which would have required a 60% vote instead of a simple majority to amend the constitution, as bad for democracy may also oppose abortion. And tens of thousands of mail-in ballots are expected to arrive and be counted at county boards of elections in the next four days.

But surging enthusiasm among the 66 more conservative counties could erode the lead abortion rights supporters thought they had in recent polling. A Baldwin Wallace University survey conducted after early voting began last month showed 58% of Ohioans support the current Issue 1.

Turnout statewide, compared to August, was down the most for Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Lucas and Portage counties. And up the most for Shelby, Franklin, Stark and Summit.

Akron voter points out medicinal benefits of marijuana

Roughly 20 people came and went from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Akron around 2:30 p.m. to cast their ballots, several of them on their lunch break.

A couple voters chatted with a reporter at the polling place about their choices.

Kyle Miller said he voted yes on both Issues 1 and 2.

On Issue 1, he said he voted yes because he believes that people should be able to make decisions regarding their own bodies and that the government shouldn't have a say in those decisions.

Miller voted yes on Issue 2 because smoking marijuana and getting a six-pack after work are not that different, he said. He also extolled the benefits of medicinal marijuana, saying that people might benefit if it was more widely available.

Judy James said she also voted yes on Issue 1.

"I've just always felt very strongly that it's a women's right to choose," the 67-year-old said.

She also voted yes on Issue 2.

"Well, alcohol's legal. Why isn't marijuana?" James asked.

Lifetime resident observed 'highest turn out he's seen' in Norton

A bit before 2 p.m., about 15 people were casting their ballots at the Norton Community Center.

A few chatted with a reporter at the polling place.

Aaron Burnette, sat in his truck outside the community center and said this was the highest election turnout he's seen in his lifetime of living in Norton.

For mayor, the 47-year-old cast his vote for Amber Johnson. On Issues 1 and 2, he voted no on both.

Burnette didn't elaborate on why he voted no on Issue 1, but said voting no on Issue 2 was "just a personal preference."

"Having children, I wanted to take a strong stance on the drug issue," he said.

Kasey Bolyard, 33, also voted no on both issues. Her no vote on Issue 1 was motivated by her religious pro-life stance and her special needs son, she said.

Bolyard voted Issue 2 down because she wasn't pleased with the particulars of how the law would be executed should it pass. Though she said she is pro-decriminalization of marijuana.

"I believe that all of the taxation on it and all of the regulation — I don't know if it's quite been figured out yet," she said. "So I'm rethinking the issue, coming at it from a different angle, and I would support it if some of the things were changed."

For mayor, Bolyard also cast her vote for Johnson. She said she was won over by Johnson because her argument for her candidacy was more compelling than incumbent Mike Zita's.

Linda Carter, 75, said she voted no on Issues 1 and 2 because her Bible study group suggested it and because of her anti-abortion stance.

For mayor, Carter said she voted for Charlotte Whipkey, saying that she would've voted for Johnson, but Johnson was listed as a Democrat on the ballot.

"They run our country into the ground," Carter said.

Green candidates set up shop outside Uniontown polling place

A steady stream of voters filtered in and out of the Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Uniontown during the lunch hour.

In the parking lot outside, several Green candidates were set up. Among them were mayoral candidate Rocco Yeargin and council-at-large candidate Erin Yoder. They were each optimistic about their chances of victory in their respective races.

Rick Taylor told a reporter at the polling place that he voted no on Issue 1 because he felt it "went too far." When asked to elaborate, he said that too much was added into the proposed amendment, but he didn't offer specifics.

Taylor also voted no on Issue 2 because he personally is not a fan of marijuana, though he mentioned he has friends who are.

For mayor, Taylor said he voted for Yeargin because believes he will lead the city in the right direction moving forward.

Craig Greenlee also voted for Yeargin. He said Yeargin's experience on council showed that he was best the choice for mayor.

On Issues 1 and 2, Greenlee voted yes on both. He said he believes women should make their own decisions and that he's seen recreational marijuana legalized in other states with no negative consequences.

Barberton men share why they voted no on Issues 1 and 2

At around 12:30 p.m., less than 10 people were casting their ballots at the Active Adult Center in Barberton.

Two older gentlemen shared their thoughts on Issues 1 and 2 with a reporter at the polling place.

Both men voted no both issues.

"I believe in certain situations it's okay for women to have abortions, especially if they are at risk for health," George (who did not want share his last name or age) said. "But generally speaking, abortion are killing an innocent child and that child should have the right to life and a right to enjoy this world."

On Issue 2, George said he voted no because he doesn't want any other "illicit drug on the street."

On Issue 1, Matthew (who also did not want to share his last name or age), said "if someone doesn't want to have a baby, they should practice safe sex and not punish the child for any bad decisions they made."

On Issue 2, he said he doesn't think recreational weed needs to widely available. "Tax dollars wouldn't be worth it."

Akron men speak up on Issue 1, women's and girls' rights

At about 11:30 a.m., less than 10 people were casting their ballots at East CLC in Akron.

A few of them shared how they voted with a reporter at the polling place.

Douglas Williams, 59 of Akron, said he voted yes on both Issue 1 and 2. On Issue 1, he said he believes women should have their rights.

"I don't think the government should go in and take their rights to an abortion if a girl gets raped at 10 years old and a judge orders her to have the baby," he said. "That's not right for her to go out of the state to have an abortion."

Williams is referring to a case where a 10-year-old Columbus girl was raped and impregnated by an attacker in 2022. She had to travel to Indiana to get an abortion because the assault occurred right after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. At that time, Ohio banned abortions after six weeks; the girl was six weeks and three days pregnant. The events made national headlines and the attacker was sentenced to life in prison in July.

On Issue 2, Williams said marijuana brings a lot of money into the state, money that could be used for social services to help curb abuse.

Ja’Don Burns, a 25-year-old from Akron, also voted yes on both issues. He said “recreational weed being legalized would keep a lot of people out of trouble."

"There’s people who sell and purchase weed illegally and so much drug violence that goes on, so it would be great for someone just to be allowed to purchase recreationally," he said. "Prisons can actually be filled with murderers and rapists and things like that rather than petty things like possession of only a few grams. There’s no need for that."

On Issue 1, he echoed previous sentiments on women having the right to seek an abortion if she needs it. He said abortion rights should be enshrined in the state constitution, saying women shouldn't have to leave the state to get proper care.

Steven L. Michael, originally from Cincinnati but an Akron resident of more than 40 years, said he voted yes on both issues.

"People should have the freedom to do whatever they want with their body," the 75-year-old said. "I voted yes on Issue 1 so that women can enjoy this freedom."

Gail Artis, also 75 of Akron, said she voted yes on both issues as well.

"It's a woman's choice to do whatever she wants to do with her body," Artis said. "I'm a retired nurse who remembers what it was like before Roe v. Wade and I saw some horrible things that people shouldn't have done to their bodies and I just don't want to go back to before that time. We need to protect women's rights to safely terminate the pregnancy if they choose to."

'My right, my decision,' says young woman in Tallmadge

Around 10:30 a.m., about 15 voters cast their ballots at the Tallmadge Community Center.

A few people shared their thoughts with a reporter at the polling place on how they voted on Issues 1 and 2.

An older man by the name of Joe (he did not want to share his last name or age) said he voted no on both issues. He said he doesn't believe in abortion, saying killing is against God's will. On Issue 2, he said the "state doesn't need to add another drug to the system that's legal just so they can get tax money."

Tyler Hardman, 30 of Tallmadge, said he voted yes on both issues. On Issue 1, he said abortion is a woman's choice if she's at risk and thinks she should be allowed to terminate the baby and that the government shouldn't be able to regulate that.

On Issue 2, Hardman said, "The benefits outweigh any potential cons. Each person should be able to use their own judgment about whether or not they want to use recreational marijuana, it's their right and nothing the government should have a say over."

Emma Douglas-Wolfe, a 21-year-old from Tallmadge, also voted yes on both issues.

"I don't want people making choices over my body when I can make them myself," she said. "It should be my right and my decision."

On Issue 2, Douglas-Wolfe said people already use weed recreationally so why not just legalize it and make it available? She said it's not worse than having alcohol.

In Cuyahoga Falls, women continue to vote yes on Issue 1

Around 9 a.m., about 10 to 15 people cast their votes at Community Vineyard Church in Cuyahoga Falls.

Mother and daughter, Stephanie and Olivia Chew, shared their thoughts on Issue 2 with a reporter at the polling place.

"The tax matters," Stephanie said, "we don't need people going to other states to get it. If it's legal to smoke cigarettes and legal to drink alcohol, recreational marijuana should be legal as well."

"I feel like either way, people are going to do what they can to use marijuana so why not make it safe and legal to obtain?" Olivia added.

On Issue 1, Stephanie said, "I'm a woman, I have a daughter I don't want to send out of state ... and have people going to other states for medical care."

Vickie McVan, 55 of Cuyahoga Falls, said she voted yes on both Issues 1 and 2.

"I'm a woman and I have four daughters and it's imperative to have this right to protect our bodies," she said.

A 60-year-old Air Force veteran, Jeff Slapak, said he voted no on Issue 1 and yes on Issue 2.

"I'm a Christian, I believe in pro life. I believe it's woman's choice, but you can't kill babies and that's what it comes down to (for me)," he said.

On Issue 2, Slapak said he has a medical marijuana license and thinks the issue should pass. He didn't see the harm in recreational marijuana.

Voting yes on Issues 1, 2 at Bath polling place

About 20 people cast their votes around 8 a.m. Tuesday at Bath United Church of Christ. Sandra Kurt, the current Summit County Clerk of Courts who is running for Akron Clerk of Courts, chatted with voters outside.

A few women shared their thoughts on Issues 1 and 2 with a reporter at the polling place.

Samantha Hermann said, "I voted yes on Issue 1 because I think everyone should have a chance to pick what they want to do related to their health. If I was pregnant and in medical danger, I'd want to be able to have an abortion so that my life isn’t at risk."

"I believe every single woman should have the opportunity to make their own choice regarding their body," Natalie Millar said. "It shouldn't be controlled by the government or someone who has no idea about the situation."

On Issue 2, Monique Mason said, "I voted yes on recreational marijuana because people are going to smoke weed whether it’s legal or not so why not get the tax dollars from selling it?”

Election results: Latest Summit County results

Ohio Issue results: Statewide vote totals for Issues 1 and 2

Where do I vote?

You can check your voter registration online for your polling location. Remember has new identification requirements to vote, including a current valid photo ID.

If you experience voting problems, let us know by calling 330-996-3700 or emailing bjnews@thebeaconjournal.com.

What's on the ballot in Summit County, Ohio in 2023?

Our Summit County Voter Guide has information on all of the races and issues.

Just enter your address: 2023 Summit County Interactive Voter Guide

Traditional voter guide: Here's our guide to the 2023 election in Summit County and Ohio Issue 1 and 2

This article will be updated through Election Day and with results as they arrive.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Election results: Live coverage of Akron and Summit County elections