While the county continues to mourn the passing of Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling, both political parties understand the law requires them to make a decision within a short time span.

Nominations to go on the respective Republican and Democratic ballots must be made within 10 days after the vacancy or 85 days before the election.

Last week the Republicans nominated O. Clark Collins Jr.

Collins has served as Ironton Municipal Judge since 1981 and has one year left on his term. Since he is 69 years old, he cannot run again for municipal judge as the Ohio Revised Code prohibits a judge from taking office at the age of 70. However, should he win Bowling’s seat, he can serve for four more years as he will be taking office while he is still 69.

The Democrats have nominated Andrew Ballard, 40, a Huntington-based attorney and Proctorville village solicitor. Ballard is a graduate of Ironton High School and resident of Proctorville.

Before the Republicans adjourned their central committee meeting on Tuesday, talk was started about how they could effectively use absentee ballots.

Unlike the commonwealth of Kentucky where one has to have specific reasons for voting absentee, in Ohio any voter can use an absentee ballot just as a personal convenience.

While this supposedly is a way to encourage a large turnout at the polls, statistics prove this is not the case.

What is important is for everyone who votes absentee to understand turning in one’s ballot is the voter’s responsibility, a private matter and should be guarded as the sacred trust that it is.