Local libraries to host e-poll book demonstrations

Posted on March 30, 2017October 13, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has partnered with Cuyahoga County Public Libraries and other local libraries to give voters a sneak peek at e-poll books before their debut during the May 2 Primary Election.

On Election Day, voters will now check into their polling location by signing an electronic touch pad rather than a paper poll book. The check-in process will be much quicker since a voter’s information can be found instantly by scanning their driver’s license or using an easy search tool. Additionally, voters can visit any line rather than waiting to be checked into their specific precinct.

Any voter who wishes to see the new technology before Election Day is invited to visit their local library during the following dates and times when staff from the Board of Elections will have the e-poll books on display.

Library	Address	Event Date	Event Time
Southeast	70 Columbus Road Bedford, Ohio 44146	April 27	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Brecksville	9089 Brecksville Road Brecksville, Ohio 44141	April 24	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Brooklyn	4480 Ridge Road Brooklyn, Ohio 44144	April 27	1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Chagrin Falls	100 East Orange Street Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022	April 21	1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Fairview Park	21255 Lorain Road Fairview Park, Ohio 44126	April 20	2:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Independence	6361 Selig Drive Independence, Ohio 44131	April 25	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Maple Heights	5225 Library Lane Maple Heights, Ohio 44137	April 26	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
North Royalton	5071 Wallings Road North Royalton, Ohio 44133	April 26	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Parma	6996 Powers Boulevard Parma, Ohio 44129	April 19	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Parma Heights	6206 Pearl Road Parma Heights, Ohio 44130	April 17	3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Parma Snow	2121 Snow Road Parma, Ohio 44134	April 18	1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Rocky River Library	1600 Hampton Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116	April 19	11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Shaker Heights Library	16500 Van Aken Blvd Shaker Heights, OH 44120	April 25	4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Westlake Library	27333 Center Ridge Road Westlake, OH 44145	April 19	3:00 – 5:30 p.m

Upcoming: May 2, 2017 Primary Election

Posted on March 21, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

A Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in select municipalities throughout Cuyahoga County.

may-primary-map-2 — Municipalities in the Election on May 2

These municipalities include Bedford, Bentleyville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Brooklyn, Chagrin Falls, Cleveland (4A, 4R, 4S, 6T.02), Fairview Park, Maple Heights, Moreland Hills, North Royalton, Parma, Parma Heights, Rocky River, Seven Hills, Shaker Heights, Walton Hills, and Westlake (Ward 1 only).

The outcome of this election will affect several municipal issues, school district issues and three candidates (Westlake). Take a closer look at the full issues list and/or election profile for more information.

Voter Registration Deadline: April 3
Anyone living in these municipalities who plan to vote must be registered. To register or update your voter registration, visit myohiovote.com.

Early Voting: April 4 – May 1
Voters may vote early from April 4 through May 1 either in person at the Board of Elections or by mail. If voting by mail, ballot requests must be received by noon on April 29 at the Board of Elections. Click to request a vote-by-mail ballot.

The Board of Elections is located at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Click to view in-house voting hours at the Board of Elections.

Election Day Voting: May 2
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Click here to find your polling location.

Questions? Call the Board of Elections at 216-443-VOTE.

Director Pat McDonald testifies in support of Senate Bill 44

Posted on March 1, 2017October 13, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is encouraging state lawmakers to allow candidates to file campaign finance information electronically. Under current law people submitting campaign finance reports with county boards of elections must submit their records on paper.

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Pat McDonald is the administrator of the largest voting jurisdiction in Ohio and supports changing the law outlined in Senate Bill 44. McDonald offered testimony today during a hearing of the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform committee on this matter.

Director Pat McDonald testifies in support of Senate Bill 44 at the Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee meeting in Columbus

“The time has come to take advantage of modern technology and allow all candidates and elected officials to file their campaign finance reports electronically,” said McDonald. “If these reports were submitted with electronic website forms it would save filers the trouble of dropping off paperwork and cut down on the time it takes for our staff to handle paper records. This would also allow easy access to campaign finance records that are not always available on the web.”

Changing the law will create greater transparency by making it easier to identify how campaigns raise and spend money in all parts of the state. The filing system allows for anyone to quickly and easily search individual donors, donations, expenditures, or loans, simply by entering a last name or a portion of a campaign committee’s name.

The public already has the ability to review reports from state candidates through the Secretary of State’s website. However, only Ohio’s largest voting jurisdictions, including Cuyahoga County offer campaign records online. “So it just makes sense to have all records available using this method. I am calling on lawmakers to remove the paper-only requirement that still regulates municipal, county and local candidates and campaign committees that file with county boards of elections,” said McDonald.

State Senator Frank LaRose (R-Hudson) re-introduced this legislation on February 10, 2017 which passed the Senate unanimously during the 131st General Assembly, but did not pass the House of Representatives. The bill was supported by the Ohio Association of Election Officials.

Author: Mike West, Media and Voter Education Specialist, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

New Citizens, New Voters

Posted on February 17, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Every month, hundreds of immigrants are sworn in as United States citizens in the City of Cleveland. These joyous and momentous ceremonies occur at the conclusion of the process of applying for U.S. citizenship known as naturalization.

img_20170217_135038 — All new citizens receive these gifts as part of their welcome packet.

After naturalization, foreign-born citizens enjoy the benefits, rights and responsibilities of American-born citizens as outlined in the Constitution. One of the greatest rights we have as American citizens is our right to vote. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections proudly attends each naturalization ceremony to help our newest citizens register to vote to ensure that they, too, can have a voice in America’s democracy.

Witnessing the excitement, joy and pride in the faces of our newest citizens and their families is a special experience. It is also extraordinary to hear how many different countries are represented at each ceremony and to know that those cultures help shape our great nation. Many of our new citizens are eager to register to vote and do so with pride.

New citizens are also welcomed by volunteers and staff from Global Cleveland, an organization committed to helping newcomers from around the world find success in Greater Cleveland. Volunteers are often needed to help out during the naturalization ceremonies which occur on the first and third Fridays of each month at the Carl B. Stokes U.S. Court House. Visit the volunteering page on their website to get involved.

Some new citizens have also opted to take advantage of Ohio’s new online voter registration system. As of January 1, 2017, any eligible voter may register or update their registration online so long as they are in the Bureau of Motor Vehicles database.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Happy Valentine’s Day! We LOVE that Ohioans can now register to vote online. To register or update your registration, visit myohiovote.com!

E-poll books to be used for May’s Primary Election

Posted on February 8, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections voted today to purchase 1,450 electronic poll books (e-poll books) from Tenex Software Solutions of Tampa, Florida.

“After 18 months of rigorous research, testing, and several pilot projects I am confident we have made the right decision for the system that is most appropriate for Cuyahoga County voters,” said Pat McDonald the Director of the Board of Elections.

E-poll books will eventually replace the alphabetical paper poll books that are printed for each election. Voters will be able to use their Ohio driver’s licenses or identification cards to check in at polling locations or to be directed to their correct polling place.

“Voters will receive faster service while lowering the chances of human error. The new e-poll books will make other election administration functions, including updating voter records, faster and more efficient,” said McDonald.

Most of the $1.7 million cost of the machines will be paid for by a $12 million state program that encouraged voting jurisdictions to upgrade to e-poll books.

The board plans to phase in fully functioning e-poll books starting with the Primary Election on May 2, 2017.

Author: Mike West, Media and Voter Education Specialist, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

We’re Hiring!

Posted on January 31, 2017October 13, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

We’re in need of an Assistant Manager in our Election Officials Department. This individual will help oversee the recruitment, training, and placement of Election Day poll workers. This is an essential role in the successful administration of elections. For job requirements and full description of duties, visit our employment portal. Be part of history, support democracy, have fun and get paid while doing it. Apply by February 10!

Apply Now

2017 Elections Preview

Posted on January 23, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

As we kick off the new year, we can certainly expect a busy 2017. There will be at least three elections and a fourth issues-only election in August, if needed. If you would like to see the profile for similar elections held in the past, follow this link to view the post-election results and profiles.

The first election will be May 2nd. It will be a primary election featuring up to 13 suburbs where voters will cast ballots for municipal and judicial candidates. Of course, there could be issues and charter amendments as well. There is a chance that Cleveland might join the election if the city puts the controversial minimum wage increase question to voters. The issues filing deadline for the May election is February 1st.

Here are some statistics from the May 2013 election, which is the last time we held a similar election:

Total Registered Voters: 165,757
Election Day Ballots: 16,816
Absentee Ballots: 8,808
Total Ballots Cast: 25,624
Voter Turnout: 15%
Precincts: 181
Voting Locations: 70
Municipalities: 14

The August Election is for issues only, and will only be held if issues of charter amendments are filed. We will know on June 9th at the latest whether we will conduct this election.

The Primary Election for Cleveland Mayor and Council, as well as 13 other municipalities that will hold primaries for their elected officials, will take place on September 12th. Here is what we can expect based on the same election that was held in 2013:

Total Registered Voters: 183,322
Election Day Ballots: 12,299
Absentee Ballots: 5,541
Total Ballots Cast: 17,840
Voter Turnout: 10%
Precincts: 227
Voting Locations: 98
Municipalities: 6

If history repeats itself, the November 7th General Election should feature hundreds of candidates running for municipal, school, and judicial seats, and over one hundred issues. Here are some numbers from the November 2013 election:

Total Registered Voters: 887,147
Election Day Ballots: 171,872
Absentee Ballots: 90,392
Total Ballots Cast: 262,264
Voter Turnout: 30%
Precincts: 1,047
Voting Locations: 410
Municipalities: 59
Issues: 88

Author: Mike West, Media and Voter Education Specialist, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted on January 13, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

During the month of January, our nation celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. As the predominant leader in the Civil Rights Movement, he worked tirelessly to nonviolently end racial segregation and discrimination in America.

One of the many ways Martin Luther King, Jr. brought about change in our nation was by advocating for equal voting rights for all African Americans. He believed the right to vote is sacred. After years of facing immense hardships, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s determination, courage and leadership led to the Voting Rights Act becoming a law in 1965.

This year as we remember Martin Luther King, Jr., may we also reflect and be thankful for our voting rights.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy New Year! Online Voter Registration Now Live in Ohio

Posted on January 10, 2017March 23, 2017 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

As of January 1, 2017, Ohioans can now register to vote online. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted and team have been working to implement an online voter registration system since 2011.

“With the online registration system, voting will be more secure, easier and it will save a lot of money,” said Husted. “It is more secure because of the fact that we can do an instantaneous check on voters to make sure that they are eligible to vote in Ohio. It’s more convenient because voter registration will be right at your fingertips, as close as your computer or smartphone.”

Registering to vote online will require a driver’s license or a state-issued ID card and the voter’s name, date of birth and last four digits of their Social Security number. The information submitted will be checked against records with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Individuals who do not have the required information may still register to vote on paper.

Ohio joins 31 other states plus the District of Columbia in offering online voter registration.

Follow this link to register to vote online:
https://olvr.sos.state.oh.us/ovru/Modify.aspx