 |
 |
 |
| 2005 STRS Ohio News E-mails |
| STRS Ohio Responds to Election Questions It has come to the attention of STRS Ohio that the STRS Ohio logo is appearing on some campaign materials or in conjunction with articles about the Retirement Board election. The logo was used without STRS Ohio’s knowledge or permission. STRS Ohio does not endorse any candidates for any Retirement Board election. We have asked all candidates to cease and desist from any further use of the STRS Ohio logo. Also, it has come to our attention that at least one campaign is providing a link to the voting Web site from its own Web site. While we did not give permission for this link to be made, there is nothing that prohibits anyone from doing this. The important thing for all STRS Ohio members and benefit recipients to know is that the election process has not been adversely affected or compromised in anyway by this link. The election process has not been compromised because (1) the link is to the actual voting Web site; and (2) no eligible member or benefit recipient can register a vote by telephone or Internet without using the Personal Identification Number (PIN) that is provided in the individual election mailing packet. You can call the toll-free number or access the Web site, BUT without having a PIN, you cannot vote. The PIN also ensures that each eligible voter can only vote once. The mail ballots also contain a special ballot number and bar code to ensure that only one vote is registered for each eligible voter. It is also important to note that all votes registered — whether by mail, telephone or Internet — go directly and only to VR Election Services, which is the firm that STRS Ohio contracted with to conduct the election. The telephone voting line and the Web site, though they carry our name, are both run by VR Election Services. Anyone who has a question about voting is encouraged to call VR Election Services’ customer service line toll-free at 1-800-218-4026. The line is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT. |
