Early voters will have a new experience when they cast ballots at the Board of Elections. Changes have been made to make early voting more like going to the polls on Election Day. The changes are the result of the passage of House Bill 41.

Here is how the new method works:

• People will present their identification and sign a poll book.
• A ballot is issued and people proceed to vote.
• Voters scan their voted ballots to complete the process.

Advantages of the new process:

• Voters will no longer be required to complete a ballot application or ID envelope.
• The scanners will alert people if there are any questions of voter intent or possible errors that voters may want to correct.

No ID? No problem.

Voters are not required to present ID if they know the last four digits of their social security number, or driver’s license or state-issued ID number. These voters, however, will be required to complete a ballot application at the time of voting, similar to the old process.

Acceptable forms of ID for early voters:

• Ohio driver’s license (unexpired)
• Ohio ID card (unexpired)
• Military ID
• Current (within the last 12 months) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter’s name and current address

Click here for more details regarding acceptable forms of identification.

When and where to vote early:

Early voting will continue to take place at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, located at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Map

Early voting hours for the May 7, 2019 Primary Election:

Weekday Voting:
April 9 – 25 (M-F, 8AM – 5PM)
April 29 – May 3 (M-F, 8AM – 7PM)
May 6 (Mon., 8AM – 2PM)

Weekend Voting:
May 4 (Sat., 8AM – 4PM)
May 5 (Sun., 1PM – 5PM)

 

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has initiated the process of selecting a new building for early voting.

At today’s Board meeting, Director Pat McDonald was asked by the Board to launch a search for an early voting center that is better suited to accommodate large numbers of voters. Currently people cast early ballots at the Board headquarters located at 2925 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

The Board hopes to identify the new facility as soon as possible in order to move early voting prior to the 2020 Presidential Election year. “Well over 50,000 people are expected to vote early in the 29 days that lead up to the March Primary and the Presidential General Elections,” said Pat McDonald, the Director of the Board of Elections. “Early voting has created traffic congestion, parking shortages and lines that can form out the doors and down the street. A new location will hopefully overcome these challenges and improve our service,” said McDonald.

The Board is seeking a location that would be large enough to serve thousands of voters per day, provide ample parking, and is located close to public transportation.

McDonald is encouraging commercial real estate agents, private land owners and the general public to contact the Board if they have a location in mind that may be able to serve its needs. “Other counties have been very creative and successful in finding new early voting sites that include former department stores, shopping malls and shuttered corporate buildings. All ideas are welcome,” said McDonald.

As part of the selection process, the Board also encourages election administration stakeholders and community leaders to share their thoughts on proposed early voting centers.

By: Mike West, Community Outreach Manager