New in 2018: Voter Engagement Resource Library

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

New in 2018, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has added a voter engagement resource library to its website. The library is meant to provide community partners and various organizations with the materials and resources they need to conduct voter registration drives and/or educate their constituents about the election process and voting.

The library can be used to access important forms, talking points, guidelines, marketing materials, sample presentations, and more. All materials can be easily downloaded, and links to our top partner sites are also provided for even more valuable information, ideas and materials. The site will be updated frequently as new materials are created specific to upcoming elections.

Click here to access the Voter Engagement Resource Library.

Sample poster available for download from the voter engagement resource library

Candidate Filing Deadline for May Primary is February 7

Posted on January 23, 2018January 23, 2018 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is reminding people who wish to run for office that they must file their completed petitions on or before February 7, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

“This is a hard deadline so it is very important that candidates for public office understand the rules,” said Pat McDonald, Director of the Board of Elections. “I encourage people not to wait until the last minute to file their petitions. It is not uncommon for people to miss the deadline because of traffic jams, illness and other unexpected circumstances on deadline day. Filing before the deadline also allows candidates to avoid lines that form during the final days leading up to February 7th,” said McDonald.

Voters in the May Primary Election will select candidates who will advance to the November General Election. The ballot includes the Governor and other high statewide offices as well as members of Congress, the US Senate, state house, state senate and judicial seats. In addition, there will be hundreds of people running for state and county Democratic Central Committee seats.

Candidates with questions may visit the Board’s website: www.443vote.com or call the Candidate and Petition Services Department at 216-443-3231.

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

Now Hiring for May Primary Election

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Our Election Officials department is hiring temporary workers to help recruit, place, train and coordinate poll workers for the 2018 May Primary Election. Open positions include:

Temporary Election Clerk
Temporary Bilingual Election Clerk (Spanish) – (Apply for Temporary Election Clerk position)
Temporary Training Assistant

Positions are paid $11.25 – $13.25 per hour. Applications must be submitted online by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 29. Click here to apply online and view position descriptions.

Congratulations to our award-winning poll workers

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

This month we are proud to recognize some of our most loyal and long-time poll workers. We can rely on these election officials to successfully run elections at their polling locations, return for work election after election, and set an example for their fellow workers.

Staff from our election officials department nominated high-achieving workers for the following recognition categories:

Leadership Awards
- Voting Location Managers and Directors for outstanding leadership
Service & Loyalty Awards
- Longest-serving election official in Cuyahoga County (62 elections!)
- Election officials having served 30+ elections
Achievement Awards
- Individual Precinct Election Officials for outstanding performance
- Entire polling locations achieving outstanding performance

Each award winner received a personalized thank-you letter and certificate for their accomplishments. Overall, 250 poll workers were recognized for their service, and 300 certificates were mailed out, as some workers received more than one recognition. Thousands of workers are typically hired to work a single election.

Congratulations to these workers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service!

Become a Poll Worker
If you are a leader looking to serve your community, becoming a poll worker is a great way to do just that! Poll workers earn about $172.00 for each election they work. Click here to learn more about the open positions and apply online.

A New Year’s Resolution You Can Keep: Vote

Posted on January 10, 2018January 10, 2018 by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Happy New Year!
For many, January marks a period of personal reflection and goal setting for the upcoming year. As you set your new year’s resolutions for 2018, remember to add voting to your list. Resolve to be aware of and vote on the issues facing your community, state and country. Resolve to research candidates, and vote to elect those whom you believe will be the best leaders. Resolve to vote in every election, big or small. Let your voice be heard.

Your Vote Matters
In the past five years, 141 races and issues were decided by one vote or tied; 29 races in 2017 alone (Secretary Husted: A Single Vote Makes all the Difference). In fact, this past November, our Board members determined the outcome of one race by a coin toss! That’s right, the winner of the Cuyahoga Heights Village Council race was literally decided by a coin toss due to a tie vote.

Voter turnout continues to be on the low side:

November 7, 2017 General Election: 31% turnout
September 12, 2017 Primary Election: 13% turnout (Not a typo!)
May 2, 2017 Primary Election: 23% turnout

Few people are determining the outcomes of important elections. Encourage those you know to participate in the democratic process and practice your civic duty to vote.

2018 Elections Preview
In 2018, voters throughout Ohio will elect leaders to state and county offices. This includes: U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, other state executives, State Senate, State House, State Supreme Court, intermediate appellate courts, local judges, and municipal government. There may also be statewide and local issues on the primary or general election ballot.

Dates of 2018 Elections:

May 8, 2018: Primary Election
August 7, 2018: Special Election (held if needed)
November 6, 2018: General Election

Register to Vote
Not registered? Recently moved or changed your name? Register to vote online at www.myohiovote.com. You can also check your voter registration status here: My Voting Info

Make sure your voice is heard in 2018. See you at the polls!

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