Tuesday is the first day for early voting for the next election.

No, this is not an April Fool’s joke.

Really. I am serious. Early voting begins tomorrow.

Those of us still burned out from the last election may find it unsettling to know that there is already another election, a special election, scheduled for parts of Clark County on May 7.

On the ballots, school levies will be considered in the Tecumseh, Greenon, Clark-Shawnee and Springfield districts and in a small corner of the Fairborn school district that overlaps into Clark County.

The other parts of Clark County will have no issues to consider on May 7, while folks in the Greenon, Shawnee, Springfield, and Tecumseh districts (and that small corner of Fairborn District) will have just one tax levy issue to consider.

No candidates running for office will be on the ballot, and no liquor permits are being considered. Nope, just school issues are on the ballot. And all are worthy of the full attention of their respective voters.

Tecumseh voters will consider a 12.73-mill issue that would be in effect for 5 years.

Greenon voters will consider a two-part issue that has a 4.95-mill bond issue that could last a maximum of 38 years and a .05 percent (one half a percent) earned income tax that will last 5 years. These two issues are combined on the ballot and cannot be voted upon separately. One vote for or against two tax levies at once.

Shawnee voters will consider a 7.59-mill operating levy that will last for 10 years.

Springfield city voters will consider a 2.2-mill issue for up to 12 years.

Fairborn voters will consider an 11.7-mill levy that will last for 10 years.

These summaries are short and simplified because I don’t have space to give a detailed explanation for each. It is important to note that each issue addresses a different school district need.

I am sure that if voters check with the schools or board of elections, they will learn more. The Springfield News-Sun have written about each already, and it will have more information as Election Day gets closer.

Meanwhile, if you have Internet access, this website www.electionsonthe.net/oh/clark has a copy of the wording of the ballots and precincts involved. It also has information on how to register, how to vote, locations of precincts, and absentee voting. It is a really terrific site.

Absentee ballots should be requested as soon as possible, according to Matthew Tlachac. Mail in the absentee ballot request form, or print one off from the Board of Elections website. Follow the directions carefully and be sure to return them in time or they won’t count.

There really is no need to let these spring elections take you by surprise. There is plenty of time to vote early, vote absentee or vote in person May 7.

Just be sure to mark your calendar. This next month is promising to be a busy time for all of us as we get caught up with spring.

Early voting at the Board of Elections offices, 3130 E. Main St., Springfield, begin Tuesday. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The last day of early voting will be on May 4.

For more information, call 937-521-2120.