Mallory family rule: Dad votes first

State Sen. Mark Mallory (standing) helps his father, former Ohio House Majority Leader William L. Mallory Sr., sign the voter roll before they cast their votes this morning at Heberle School in the West End. (Photo by Meggan Booker/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

There's an Election Day tradition in state Sen. Mark Mallory's family. No one can remember when it started, or why -- or at least Mark's not telling.

"No one votes before dad," Mark said.

Dad, of course, is former Ohio House Majority Leader William L. Mallory Sr. And when Mark showed up early one year and his mom saw later that he had already signed the poll book, Mark was in trouble.

Luckily for Mark, dad voted early this year. They both went to the polls at 7 a.m., with Mark waiting patiently until his father's vote was securely in the ballot box. Then Mark started his whirlwind Election Day tour of Cincinnati polling places.

"We're getting a good reception everywhere we go," said campaign spokesman Jason Barron from his cell phone as the senator's entourage stopped to eat at the Hyde Park Tavern. "We're upbeat."