Rep. Jim Trakas, R-Independence, announced his candidacy for the Ohio secretary of state election yesterday.
Trakas, 39, the first candidate to declare his running for the 2006 election, is a four-term representative from Cuyahoga County.
I truly believe that I have a strong background for the secretary of state. I have worked in elections my whole career
in the county board of elections Trakas said. This is a critical juncture for Ohio elections and I believe I am that right person.
Trakas proposed that, if elected, he is to update the election process technologically, with the implementation of electronic voting.
I strongly believe we should have electronic voting
he said. Some counties may opt for the optical scan
but others may be willing to go with traditional. Before I become the secretary of state
I have legislative duties to make that happen.
In addition, he has plans to focus his administration on increasing voter education and voter turnout, especially in the youngest demographic, 18 to 24. In a non-partisan plan, Trakas hopes to reach out to groups who have had low voter turnout in the past.
It's nice to register voters
but we have to go the next step to educate them. Many people just drop off and don't vote
Trakas said.
Trakas' political career began in 1991 as a city councilman for his hometown, Independence. Additionally, he is the House majority whip and Republican Party chairman of Cuyahoga County. He is an Ohio State University graduate with a bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences.
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