The March 15 Primary Election will be here before you know it. Here are our top ten reasons to vote early by mail:

1. Vote on your own schedule. So many of us are juggling work, taking care of our families, running errands, exercising, volunteering, etc. that voting in person can be a hassle. Vote at your leisure when it’s convenient for you. This especially holds true for those who will be traveling on March 15.
2. It’s easy. Voting comes to you! How easy is that? After you request your vote-by-mail ballot, the Board of Elections will mail you the ballot and all you need to do is complete it and mail it back.
3. You still get a sticker. Everyone’s favorite part of voting, right?

   

4. Every vote counts. All votes are counted as soon as ballots arrive back at the Board of Elections. Now you can even get a text or email to confirm your vote has been counted through VoterNotify.
5. There’s no place like home. Vote from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
6. Take your time. Never heard of that candidate running for judge or councilman? Say no more! When voting from home you’re just a quick Google search away from researching candidates to make educated decisions as you go.
7. You can vote in your pajamas. But really.
8. Avoid lines on Election Day. More people come out to the polls in presidential election years. Don’t let this happen to you (Election Day 2008):

   

9. Safe and secure. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has solved the issue of counting ballots that arrive after Election Day without a postmark. No more worries! Read about it here: Ohio absentee ballot postmark fix proposed by Secretary of State Jon Husted
10. Get it over with. Already know who you’re voting for? Then why wait? Go ahead and vote already!

Click here to download your vote-by-mail application.

To learn more about voting by mail, call 216-443-VOTE or visit: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/Voters/absenteeVoting.aspx#byMail

Author: Cathy Bajic, Community Outreach Coordinator, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections