Voters filling out their mail-in ballots or voting early likely have a good idea of who they plan to vote for in marquee races such as president before they mark their ballots.

But, one area where voters may be less certain of their choices is in judicial races. Is this 2020 General Election, voters statewide will be making choices for judges in county and common pleas courts, all 12 districts of the Ohio Court of Appeals and two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court.

When it comes to president or other high-profile candidate races, voters can rely on ads, debates, or news coverage to help educate themselves and make their choices.

Judicial races present a trickier option for voters and as a result, many admit they just skip those races.

A 2014 survey conducted by the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron found that 63% of voters said the reason they do not vote for judge is they do not know enough about the candidates. Additionally, 30% said they were confused about the different types of judges on the ballot.

We discuss the work of two partnerships aimed at educating voters on judicial candidates and their backgrounds on The Sound of Ideas: Judge4Yourself and Judicial Votes Count.

If you want to find out more details about Judge 4 Yourself and Judicial Votes Count, you will find links on our show page to both organizations

Later, the foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Trump's controversial comments during the debate in Cleveland when he told the Proud Boys-an FBI-designated extremist group-- to "stand back" and "stand by" put renewed focus on extremist and white nationalist groups operating in the United States.

FBI Director, Christopher Wray, told lawmakers last month that the bulk of the bureau's work on domestic terror threats originated with racially motivated extremism cases-mainly white supremacists.

The regional director of the Anti-Defamation League discusses concerns about hate groups operating in the Midwest.

The General Election is rapidly approaching--just three weeks from today. Early voting in Ohio began on October 6 and many voters are expected to mail in ballots and vote in-person early before Election Day.

Voters concerned about making sure their vote counts have been seeking information on the entire voting process including how to track their absentee or mail ballot, how to study up on issues and candidates, how votes will be counted and what protections are in place to safeguard against fraud. Ideastream reporters have been researching and answering questions submitted by voters as part of our Listen, Engage, Vote 2020 Election Coverage.

We discuss the questions that we are receiving from voters with Ideastream's Nick Castele and Glenn Forbes.

You will find answers to voter questions as well as a form to submit your questions in the related content below.

Guests:
John Green, Ph.D., Director Emeritus Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron

Hon. C. Ellen Connally, retired, Co-Chair, Judge4Yourself

James Pasch, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League, Cleveland Office

Nick Castele, Reporter, Ideastream

Glenn Forbes, Producer-Host, Ideastream