Tuesday is Election Day in seven Cleveland wards and several suburbs. If you’re just tuning in to the 2025 primary election, and you’re already registered to vote, here’s what you need to know to participate. The polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
Is there an election today where I live? That depends
This is a primary election to determine which candidates advance to the general election in November. Only voters in places where there are more than two candidates vying for the same office are asked to cast a ballot today.
In Cleveland, residents of Wards 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are choosing among candidates running for city council. But keep in mind that Cleveland wards and precincts look different this election due to boundary changes that will take effect in 2026. You can use this online tool to see how the changes affect you.
The races are nonpartisan, meaning you won’t see party affiliations listed on the ballot. The candidates are listed here.
Suggested Reading
In Cleveland Heights, voters can choose from among five candidates for mayor and whether the current mayor, Kahlil Seren, should be recalled (removed from office immediately).
There are also local elections in East Cleveland, Garfield Heights, Lakewood and Maple Heights. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections’ website has an overview of all the races and sample ballots for all six cities.
Has my polling place changed? Maybe!
This election is the first using Cleveland’s new ward maps approved by city council earlier this year. Now, instead of 17 city wards, there are 15. More than 70,000 Cleveland residents will vote in a different place than last time. You can use your address to check your polling place on this page on the Board of Elections website.
Do I need ID to vote? Yes
You will need one of the following forms of identification:
• Ohio driver’s license
• State of Ohio ID card
• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
• U.S. passport or passport card
• U.S. military ID card
• Ohio National Guard ID card
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
Can I still send in my mail ballot? Yes, but …
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked Monday, Sept. 8. So if it’s not already in the mail, you can drop it off at the Board of Elections’ new location, 1803 Superior Avenue, Cleveland. If you’re dropping off your own ballot, you can use the drop box in the parking lot.
If you did mail in a ballot, you can check here to see if it’s been received.
Can I drop off a completed ballot for someone else?
Yes, but:
Only for the following family members: spouse, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, son, daughter, adopted parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece;
And you can’t use the drop box, you have to take the ballot inside and complete a form called a 12-P Family Member Absentee Ballot Delivery Attestation.
Voters with disabilities can have anyone (except their employer or an officer in their union) deliver their completed ballots on their behalf. But that person also has to fill out a form like a family would.
What if I’m told I can’t vote?
If there is some question about your eligibility or whether you’re at the right polling place, you can ask to vote by provisional ballot. That means it will get a second look by BOE staff.
If you have any questions not answered here, call the Board of Elections at 216-443–8683 (VOTE).