Monday, 06 February 2012 12:18

At The Polls: Switching Parties

Written by  Chris Keppler
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People other than Republicans may wish they had a voice in the Republican presidential scramble, mainly between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.  It was similar four years ago on the Democrat side, when everybody seemed to have an opinion on the standoff between Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton. 

Switching parties is as easy as asking for the appropriate ballot when you vote in the primary election.  In fact, Summit County Board of Elections Director Ron Koehler says it's even simpler now than it was in 2008 because a state-issued form is now optional.

"Our current secretary of state says that form is to be used rarely, only when the elections official has personal knowledge of that person's affiliation with a party and that they're changing," said Koehler.

The form does require a signature stating that you are a member of that party and will uphold its ideals. 

Republicans and Democrats, together and alone, are far outnumbered by non-party voters.  Despite interest in the presidential race, Koehler predicts that few people will become a Republican because of it. 

Chris Keppler

Chris Keppler

Chris is the regular news anchor on WQMX's Wynn and Wilson in the Morning and WONE's Tim and Christi in the Morning programs. He first opened a microphone at WZIP-FM at The University of Akron in 1990 but got his first paid radio job delivering weekend news on WZKL-FM & WDPN-AM in Alliance. Chris then moved to WJER AM & FM in Dover where he reported on Tuscarawas County, including stories that made national headlines. Chris has been honored by his peers with first place awards from the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters including Best Reporter, Best Feature Story, and Best Broadcast Writing among others. In addition to his work as a broadcast journalist Chris has also worked in public relations and as an instructor at the University of Akron teaching Broadcast News Writing. Chris enjoys volunteer work, and has served on the boards of the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters, Public Relations Society of America (Akron Area Chapter), American Cancer Society Hope Gala Committee and currently serves on the Green Baseball/Softball Federation Board. Contact Chris through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or email at ckeppler@rcrg.net

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