The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is asking for your patience, and in-person early voting hasn’t even started yet.
The board is looking for a little grace because they “are currently processing over 10,000 Vote-by-Mail/Absentee ballot applications a day”, according to their website.
As of Sept. 25, more than 120,000 applications have been reviewed. But not all have been accepted
Check it twice
The board has rejected 5270 applications – 2486 of those don’t have the voter’s date of birth filled in. Missing date of birth is the most common reason for rejection, followed by voter not being registered at the address on file (625); ID not provided (589); and invalid application (557).
🗳️For more on this year’s November election, visit our Election Signals 2024 page.
Is your vote by mail request form official?
The last week in August, Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office sent out absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in the state. At that time, LaRose cautioned voters to be certain they use the correct form to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
“As various groups and campaigns ramp up their communication with voters, every Ohioan should be vigilant when completing any forms that are not labeled official election mail or from Ohio’s trusted source for election information, VoteOhio.gov,” the secretary said in a statement.
Ohio has mailed absentee ballot application forms to registered voters in every even-year general election since 2012.
Approved vote-by-mail/absentee applications can be downloaded or can be printed from the county board website. No computer access? You can request an application over the phone by calling 216-443-8683 (VOTE).
How many people choose the vote by mail option?
Of the 881,827 Cuyahoga County voters registered so far, about 14% have requested vote-by-mail ballots. Here’s the breakdown by party:
Democrats – 42,382
Republicans – 22,763
Nonpartisan – 55,540
Minor Party – 0
Absentee/vote-by-mail ballot requests must be received by the board of elections by Oct. 29. Applications can be accepted in person until 8:30 p.m.
The board suggests using the track your ballot tool to confirm the application has been received. If you do not see your application right away, keep checking back.
Are you registered to vote? Are you sure?
Whether you plan to vote by mail or in person, now is a good time to check your voter registration status. Some voters were removed from the rolls in July.
The “Registration Readiness Roster,” is the list of almost 159,000 Ohioans — including 14,000 in Cuyahoga County — dropped from the voter rolls either because they’ve moved or haven’t voted in at least four years.
If you find your name on the roster, you still have time to register again.
Ways to register to vote
The state’s online voter registration page allows people to sign up without leaving home. You’ll need the number from your Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card and the last four digits of your Social Security number. (Ohio ID cards are available for free from the BMV.)
You also can register in person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (It’s easy to reach on RTA’s HealthLine, and parking is free.)
If you would rather register by mail, download this form (or call 216-443-8683 and ask for one to be sent to you), fill it out and mail it back to:
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Registration Department
2925 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115-2497
You can also register for the first time using any of the above methods.
If you moved since the last time you voted, be sure to update your mailing address with the board of elections.
The deadline to register to vote in the November general election is Oct. 7.
Be sure to share that date with family, friends and neighbors.
