Ohioans just getting in to the swing of enjoying their summer may not yet have put much thought into the rapidly approaching Aug. 8 special election to consider whether it should become more difficult to change the state’s constitution. The vote will determine whether proposed constitutional amendments must receive 60% of voter support to be enacted, as opposed to the simple majority (50% plus one vote) required now.

Other changes would include requiring signatures from all 88 counties, rather than the current 44-county rule, for an initiative to be placed on the ballot. And, Ohio Issue 1 “appears to significantly raise the percentage of voters needed in each county, from 5% of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election to 5% of ‘all eligible voters.'” according to the Associated Press.

But for this significant change to the way Ohioans interact with their government, poll workers say the August election poses a few problems. Preparations are under way, but it’s a time crunch that comes with personnel and logistics challenges.

Some poll workers are unable to give the same kind of time and effort in the summer that they do in spring or fall. Some normal polling locations are not available.

For example, in Athens County, the Dairy Barn Arts Center may be unavailable on Aug. 8, because it hosts summer camps, according to a report by WCMH.

“You know to roll with the punches,” Tony Brooks II, deputy director of the county’s board of elections, told WCMH. “It’s part of the job.”

And no doubt they will. It will help if voters educate themselves — not only about the issue, but about any changes such as polling locations. This is an election as important as any held in May or November. Our election workers will get the job done. The rest of us must make sure we do our part.