Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the May primary election. The Portage County Board of Elections will be open until 9 p.m. Monday night to accommodate those who wish to register.

Lois Enlow, director of the Portage County Board of Elections, said students who live in Portage County because they attend school here may register to vote either here or in their place of permanent residence.

“Out-of-state students should be cautioned that they should check with their home state before registering to vote here if they have a financial-aid package,” Enlow said.

She said some out-of-state students have almost lost their financial-aid money because they registered to vote in a different state.

Enlow said voter turnout in the county for both the primary and general election this year will be lower than in a presidential election.

She said, “Yet this is the election when people elect their local officials. These are the people who affect your life every day.”

To find locations throughout the county to register to vote, consult the Board of Elections Web site at http://www.co.portage.oh.us/election/voter_registration.htm.

– Trevor Ivan