Ohio Votes is offering free rides to the polls on Election Day! Rides will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. To request a ride, call or text (216) 452 – 8382.
Ohio Votes is a 501c3 nonpartisan civic engagement initiative and does not endorse any party or candidate. Learn more at OHvotes.org.
National Voter Registration Day is this Tuesday, September 24! To celebrate, dozens of organizations and volunteers have planned voter registration drives around town. Stop by or update your registration online at VoteOhio.gov.
Full event listing here: https://bit.ly/2NKBFvl 🗳💖☑️✨
2019 Greater Cleveland Events
Voter Education Forum for Justice Involved Individuals
September 24 | 5:30 – 7:15 p.m.
North Star Reentry Community Resource Center, 1834 E. 55th Street, Cleveland
Voter Registration at Asia Plaza
Sample Asian Snacks & Drinks
September 24 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2999 Payne Ave., Cleveland
Voter Registration Month
September 1 – 27 | 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
ADAMHS Board Lobby, 2012 West 25th Street, 6th Floor, Cleveland
MidTown Tech Hive: Race 2 Democracy Gaming with Mario Kart
September 24 | Noon – 8 p.m.
6815 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
NVRD Phone Bank
September 24 | Noon – 8 p.m.
Midtown Tech Hive
6815 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Voter Registration at Quincy Place
September 24 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
8111 Quincy Ave., Cleveland, OH 44104
Voter Registration at Cleveland Public Libraries
September 24 | During Library Hours
All Branch Locations: https://cpl.org/locations/
Lemonade & Voter Registration for Cleveland Ward 12, Precinct Q
September 24 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
3788 W. 22nd Pl., Cleveland
Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP) “Make Your Voice Count”
September 24 | Business Hours
All NFP Locations: https://www.nfpmedcenter.org/locations/
Dave’s Supermarket Voter Registration & Remarks from Cuyahoga County Executive
September 24 | 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Dave’s Supermarket, Midtown
1929 East 61st Street, Cleveland
Student-Only Registration Drives
Tri-C Campuses: The Voting Experience; check your campus for date and times.
CMSD High Schools: Your Voice Matters Voter Registration Drives
High Schools: Warrensville Hts., Maple Hts., Cleveland Hts., Shaw, Randall Park, Shaker Hts., Garfield Hts.
Ursuline College: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cleveland State University: Student Center from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Voter Registration at Life Exchange Center
September 24 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
13407 Kinsman Rd., Cleveland
Voter Registration at Mt. Pleasant Now Development Corporation
September 24 | 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
13815 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland
Euclid Library Voter Registration Drive
September 24 | Noon – 8 p.m.
631 E. 222nd Street, Euclid
Voter Registration at St. Paul Community Church
September 24 | 9 – 11 a.m.
4427 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland
Voter Registration at Men’s Shelter
September 24 | 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
2100 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland
Voter Registration at Riverview Towers
Through October 5 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1795 W. 25th Street, Cleveland
Voter Registration at Norma Herr Women’s Center
September 24 | 2 – 4:30 p.m.
2227 Payne Avenue, Cleveland
Voter Registration at Bishop Cosgrove Center
September 24 | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
1736 Superior Avenue, Cleveland
Voter Registration at Kappa House Plaza
September 24 | Noon – 3 p.m.
12450 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland
Lakewood Community Service Center
September 24 | 10 a.m. – Noon
14230 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Western Reserve Historical Society
September 24 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
10825 East Blvd., Cleveland
Cleveland Institute of Music
September 24 | 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pogue Atrium, 11021 E. Blvd., Cleveland
Parma Village Apartments
September 24 | 1 – 3 p.m.
11500 Huffman Rd., Parma Heights
Voter Registration at Kappa House Plaza
September 24 | Noon – 3 p.m.
12450 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland
Euclid Candidates Night / Shore Culture
September 24 | 6 – 7 p.m.
Shore Culture Ctr., 291 E. 222nd St., Euclid
Chagrin Falls Candidate Forum
September 24 | 7 p.m.
The Hamlet Retirement Community
Register Online: www.voteohio.gov
Calling all high school students and educators! You’re invited to the Third Annual Your Voice Matters Youth Summit on Friday, September 13, 2019.
The Your Voice Matters Youth Summit brings Cuyahoga County high school students together for a FREE day of learning and inspiration. This year’s summit emphasizes the importance of local elections and the U.S. Census, encouraging students to use their voice to be counted. Students will learn from elected officials and prominent community leaders.
Students will leave motivated to be active voters, leaders, thinkers, and change agents in their schools and communities. They will realize the power they have to become civically engaged and create an action plan to implement at their school.
Third Annual Your Voice Matters Youth Summit
Friday, September 13, 2019
8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus
Metro Campus Center – Room 201
2900 Community College Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
RSVP to Jeane Holley at jholley@cuyahogacounty.us or (216) 263-2544.
Space is limited!
2019 Your Voice Matters Student Summit Agenda
8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
Arrival, Registration, Breakfast
8:45 – 8:55 a.m.
Tri-C Welcome & Opening Remarks
Claire Rosacco, V.P. Government Relations & Community Outreach
8:55 – 9:10 a.m.
Keynote Speaker
Basheer Jones, Cleveland City Council
9:10 – 9:50 a.m.
Count Me In – 2020 Census
Simeon Best, Cuyahoga County Census Leader
9:50 – 10:25 a.m.
Local Government in Action (Panel Discussion with Elected Officials)
Shontel Brown, Cuyahoga County Councilwoman
Meg Ryan Shockey, Councilwoman for the City of Brooklyn
10:25 – 11:10 a.m.
The Online Voting Experience & Scavenger Hunt
Tri-C Democracy Fellows
11:10 – 11:30 a.m.
Your Turn to Make a Difference, Intro to Action Plans & Voter Registration
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Action Plan Development
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Dismissal
Space is limited. RSVP to Jeane Holley at jholley@cuyahogacounty.us or (216) 263-2544.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has appointed Anthony Perlatti to the position of Director.
Tony has been the Deputy Director of the Board of Elections since February 2013 and has served as Interim Director since February 23, 2019. With 23 years of public service, 12 of which have been with the Board of Elections, Tony brings to the position of Director extensive experience in planning, leadership and high quality service to the Board and to the public. Tony is widely regarded as an innovative thinker and a solution-oriented leader. Tony is ready to continue his leadership of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in the position of Director, and will integrate existing agency strengths into a concerted, positive effort for many more successful elections in Cuyahoga County.
The Board of Elections also promoted Shantiel Soeder to fill the position of Deputy Director.
Shantiel has served the Board of Elections as the Election and Compliance Administrator since August 2015. Prior to that, Shantiel was manager of the Ballot Department from February 2010 to August 2015. Additionally, Shantiel has been in a leadership position in the Election Officials department as Assistant Manager and then Manager from September 2006 to August 2015. In each of her positions, Shantiel has brought new and innovative processes to fruition for the betterment of the Board of Elections. Shantiel is known as the “go-to” person for technological process and procedures. Shantiel is looking forward to turning her creative ideas into realities to deliver the best elections experience for the voters of Cuyahoga County.
Jeff Hastings has been appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. constitution.
This law immediately decreased racial discrimination in voting. The adjournment of literacy tests and the assignments of federal examiners and observers allowed for high numbers of racial minorities to register to vote. In 1965, nearly 250,000 African Americans registered to vote. By 1967, this number increased to more than half (52.1%), and a majority of African American residents became registered to vote in 9 of 13 southern states. Learn more.
Author: Skip White, Community Outreach Coordinator
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will soon replace hundreds of polling location scanners and several high-speed central scanners that have been in use for over a decade. The purchase is part of a statewide funding program that has provided over $10 million for Cuyahoga County to upgrade its voting equipment.
Last week, voting equipment suppliers Election Systems and Software (ES&S), Hart InterCivic, and Clear Ballot provided demonstrations to election officials and guests. These demonstrations were recorded and can be found on our website. We strongly encourage voters to watch the videos and provide their feedback in the corresponding surveys.
“I want to encourage people to watch the videos and to share their thoughts or ask questions,” said Pat McDonald the Director of the Board of Elections. “This is a very big decision that will impact voters and the Board for many years to come.”
All of the scanners and tabulation devices that are under consideration will utilize paper ballots so there will be no major changes for voters. People will continue feeding ballots into a scanner that also doubles as a ballot box. “Regardless of which vendor is selected, the machines will provide the same services voters have come to expect when they cast ballots,” said McDonald.
The demonstration videos also feature machines that allow people with disabilities to cast ballots on ADA approved devices.
Click here to learn more about the voting equipment acquisition project.
The Three Vendor Demonstrations
Today is Election Day! Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Voters will have many important decisions to make from state and federal offices to state and local issues in this midterm General Election.
Reminders for Voters
Voters are reminded to bring proper ID with them to the polls today. This includes:
Any voter that does not know where to vote can look up their polling location on our website. They may also download a sample ballot to review prior to voting.
Click here for “My Voting Info”
Vote-by-Mail Ballots
People who vote by mail must be aware that the deadline to mail their ballot has passed. Voted ballots may only be returned to the Board of Elections office and must be received by 7:30 p.m. tonight. Voters may utilize a special ballot box located in the Board of Elections parking lot at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland (Map). Ballots cannot be dropped off at a voting location on Election Day, however, if a voter cannot return their ballot the Board of Elections they may vote a provisional ballot at their polling place.
Each year, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections hires about 4,500 election officials to work the polls for the General Election. Having enough people staff each polling location is critical to the overall success of the election, which is why we don’t take any chances. We are now hiring stand-by poll workers to step up in the event someone cannot fulfill their Election Day assignment.
Stand-by poll workers will receive a minimum stipend of $100 for being on call Monday and reporting on Tuesday. See below for additional requirements, and click here to apply.
National Voter Registration Day was a huge success this year! This grand collaboration yielded more than 1,800 voter registrations for Cuyahoga County, far surpassing the goal of 1,000 registrations. This is the first time in seven years that the Cuyahoga County voter registration roles have exceeded 900,000 in a November Election.
Each year, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections partners with Cleveland Votes to organize a county-wide collaboration for National Voter Registration Day (NVRD). Organizations, volunteers and community activists across the area participate by hosting events, conducting voter registration drives, volunteering and promoting voter registration online. This year, 54 partners joined the initiative, nearly doubling last year’s participation. About 25 unique events took place around the area providing ample opportunities for people to prepare for the election.
This year’s success actually surpassed the outcome of the 2016 Presidential Election year, which achieved 934 registrations. Nationally, this was the biggest NVRD of all time with more than 800,000 voters registered, when only 300,000 was the projected goal. Midterms do not often garner the same voter buzz and general interest as presidential elections do, which is why this year’s outcome is a welcomed surprise for all.
If you are interested in joining the collaboration next year, please contact Cathy Goskey at cgoskey@cuyahogacounty.us or 216-443-6413.
2018 NVRD Partners:
Last week approximately 110 students from Cleveland Metropolitan School District came to the Board of Elections to cast their votes. Congratulations to these first-time voters!
This organized effort stemmed from the Second Annual Your Voice Matters Youth Summit which took place on September 14. During the summit, students from around the county learned about the importance of voting and how to participate in the democratic process. Students created action plans to encourage their classmates to both register and actually vote. Their plans came full circle with class field trips to the Board of Elections during early voting.
