Polls are now closed. Ballots are being counted. Results are coming in.
Arts and culture funding extended as voters back Issue 55
11:55 p.m. I Olivera Perkins
Cuyahoga County voters approved a cigarette tax that will continue to provide arts and culture funding in Cuyahoga County. The 10-year cigarette tax is expected to raise $160 million to support both large arts institutions and small community organizations. Read the full story here.
Ohio Issue 1 fails, leaving map making in hands of GOP elected officials
11:40 p.m. I Andrew Tobias
The defeat of the highly contested ballot measure deals a blow to Democrats and those who argued the current system allowed Republicans to manipulate the state’s political boundaries to their gain. Read the full story here.
Businessman Bernie Moreno unseats U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown
11:27 p.m. | Nick Castele
Bernie Moreno, a businessman who has never held elected office and ran with backing from former President Donald Trump, unseated three-term U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, toppling the Ohio Democratic Party’s most reliable vote-getter and highest-ranking officeholder. Details here.
Ohio voters reject Issue 1
11:23 p.m. | Associated Press
Ohio voters rejected a constitutional amendment Tuesday that would have established a citizen-led redistricting commission to replace an existing mapmaking system that repeatedly produced unconstitutional maps.
The outcome marked a defeat for the group Citizens Not Politicians, a bipartisan coalition that proposed Issue 1 as an alternative after seven straight sets of legislative and congressional maps produced under the existing setup were found to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans.
‘There’s work we have to do’ the whether the levy passes or not: CMSD CEO

9:47 p.m. | Michael Indriolo
As Issue 49 appeared headed to victory, Cleveland schools CEO Warren Morgan made an appearance at an election night watch party hosted by the Cleveland Teachers Union at the Flat Iron Cafe in Cleveland Tuesday evening. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb joined him.
Morgan told Signal Cleveland he’s prepared both for voters approving or rejecting Issue 49. He and other district officials have been planning for both scenarios.
“Whatever the result tonight, even if it’s favorable, this is not like, ‘Oh, it solved all of our problems,’” Morgan said. “There’s work we have to do.”
To those who went out and voted yes on Issue 49, Morgan said he’s grateful for their belief in the capabilities of CMSD students.
“This is the Cleveland community saying our kids are showing up and doing what they need to do,” he said. “I’m grateful to every single Cleveland voter, even the ones that have asked the tough questions. That’s OK, they’re doing exactly what they need to do. It shows a really engaged community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Cheryl Neylon, who taught at Charles A. Mooney School for more than 30 years, said she advocated for Issue 49 today at the school, which is also a polling location.
Neylon, who also attended the school as a kid, said most voters she talked with voiced support for the levy, she said. She even ran into a few of her former students.
“There seemed to be a lot of traffic when I was there,” she said. “At one point there was, like, no parking spaces in the parking lot. There were that many people voting.”
AP calls Ohio for Trump
9:13 p.m. | Associated Press
Republican Donald Trump carried Ohio for a third time on Tuesday, defeating Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to capture the state’s 17 electoral votes, according to the Associated Press.
Support for the former president helped turn Ohio from a presidential bellwether to reliably Republican in recent years. Ohio voters supported him by wide margins in 2016 and 2020. No Republican has reached the White House without carrying Ohio.
In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democrat to win the presidency without winning Ohio since John F. Kennedy in 1960. The Associated Press declared Trump the winner at 9:08 p.m.
Issue 1 results
8:50 p.m. I Andrew Tobias
Issue 1, the highly contested ballot measure that would change who draws Ohio’s political boundaries, is losing, 51.6 % to 48.4% with about 40% of the vote counted, according to the Associated Press. Read more about Issue 1 here.
Brown vs. Moreno early results

8:45 p.m. I Nick Castele
It’s too early to call the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Bernie Moreno.
The mood at Moreno’s watch party in Westlake is upbeat. Cheers are going up in the ballroom as Fox News – playing on two large projectors in the room – calls Republican-leaning states for former President Donald Trump.
Republican elected officials Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost were seen working the crowd. Both are potential contenders for the GOP race to succeed Gov. Mike DeWine.
A huge cheer went up as Fox News called Ohio for Trump.
Follow the results so far here, and check back for updates.
Voter turnout in Cuyahoga County is low
8:44 p.m. | April Urban
Voter turnout in Cuyahoga County was at 63% as of 8 p.m., according to preliminary numbers from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Turnout in Cuyahoga reached 71% in the last presidential election in 2020. In 2016, 69% of registered voters cast ballots.
Just over 61% of eligible voters cast their ballots at the polls today. The rest voted absentee or voted early.
Areas on the East Side of Cleveland and south eastern inner-ring suburbs generally had lower turnout rates; precincts in the outer-ring suburbs show generally had higher turnout.
Cuyahoga County arts and culture tax out ahead with early and mail-in ballots counted
8:17 p.m. | Olivera Perkins
The 10-year tax would raise $160 million for Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), which makes grants to nonprofit arts organizations. Read more about the tax.
Cleveland schools levy ahead with mail-in ballots and early votes counted

7:49 p.m. | Michael Indriolo
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections as of 7:49 p.m. has tallied 31,846 votes in the levy contest. Read more about what’s at stake if the levy passes or fails.
Stay in line
7:25 p.m. | Signal Staff
If you are in line to vote at your polling place, stay in line. Folks who are in the line at 7:30 p.m. but haven’t voted yet will be allowed to vote.
Games, distractions and food while you wait
7:22 p.m. | Dakotah Kennedy and Najee Hall
ThirdSpace Action Lab is hosting a watch party with games, distractions, food and more.
Brian Anthony, who helps run the book store at ThirdSpace Action Lab, said, “It’s like the Super Bowl: your team wins, you’re happy. Your team loses, you cry.”

In his previous life, Anthony taught U.S. History, World History and Government in Cleveland high schools.
“Use your voice and vote,” Anthony said. After all, it’s what he preached to his students.
Election Day vibes from around Greater Cleveland
6:58 p.m. | Signal Cleveland
Signal Cleveland reporters spent time talking with voters on Election Day from Central to Cudell.
Catch the election vibe here.
There is still time to vote
6:10 p.m. | Signal Cleveland
You have about an hour and a half left to cast your ballot in this election. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. If you are in line then but haven’t voted yet, you will be allowed to vote.
How do I find my polling location?
You can check your current polling location here. Or you can call the BOE at 216-443-8683 and select #2. A few polling locations have changed, so it does not hurt to double-check.
You can vote in-person at your assigned polling place today. Polls will be open until 7:30 p.m.
Taking public transportation to vote? Ride free on RTA anywhere in Cuyahoga County without a fare or tickets from 3 a.m. Nov. 5 until 3 a.m. Nov. 6.
And if you are helping a friend in another county find their polling location, you can find any of Ohio’s 88 boards of elections at the Secretary of State’s website.
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Anthony Perlatti said voters will see lines on Election Day because of the county’s six-page ballot and the robust turnout typical of presidential years.
What’s on the ballot in Ohio and Cleveland?
You can find a roundup of what you expect to see on the ballot here. Of course the top races are for president, the U.S. Senate and Issue 1. In Cleveland, voters also will decide on the Cleveland Metropolitan School District levy.
Five things to watch after the polls close
5:02 p.m. / Andrew Tobias
It’s Election Day. That means sometime after polls close at 7:30 p.m., voters around the state will be watching TV and for the most dedicated, compulsively reloading voting returns on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
I’ll be doing the same.
To help with your doomscrolling, here are a few things I’m going to be looking for tonight.
And a quick disclaimer: when I evaluate state elections, I tend to look at the Democratic framing, since it’s simpler than visualizing the Republican path to victory, which involves racking up votes in dozens of rural counties.
In other words, describing it this way doesn’t mean I’m rooting for Democrats to win. It’s just easier for me to keep results straight. Even some Republicans I talk to view it the same way.
Here are five things I’ll be watching in tonight’s election.
‘I just believe in voting’
4:50 p.m. / Najee Hall
Election volunteers Peggy Brown and Joanie Amoto have been greeting voters at East Tech High School with smiles and literature as they enter the parking lot.
“I just believe in voting. Especially in this election, when Democracy is on the line,” Amato said.
“There were a lot of people who suffered for us to have the right to vote,” Brown said. “It’s very important, and I’m always going to participate.”
Click the arrows to see more photos.
Mercedes Parker, a Central resident, cast her ballot at East Tech this afternoon. She is thrilled at the thought of having the first woman president.
“There was a time when we didn’t think a Black person could run the country. We’ve had a man. Now it’s time for a woman to be in charge.”
Two Ward 5 precincts vote at East Tech High School.
‘I really love how seamless everything is’
3:50 p.m. / Dakotah Kennedy and Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Signal Cleveland stopped by the Cudell Recreation Center to talk with voters about their experiences.

Jonathan Padilla, born in Puerto Rico, cast his first ballot in Ohio today. Four years ago, Padilla said, he lived in Florida, where voting was a lot harder. He shouted-out the poll workers for helping him and answering his questions.
“The right to vote is the right to make change in the country,” Padilla told Signal Cleveland.

Alex Tharnish of Cudell just finished voting at Cudell Rec. Tharnish has been coming here the last few years on Election Day and said, “It’s quick, it’s painless, and I really love how seamless everything is.
‘Do it for your community’: Dayton rapper YelloPain returns with a new appeal to vote in every election
Signal Cleveland recently talked to YelloPain about his 2020 viral hit “My Vote Don’t Count.”
Election-day voting total just passed early voting numbers in Cuyahoga County
2:20 p.m. / Amy Morona
More than 219,600 Cuyahoga County residents have cast an in-person ballot as of about 2:09 p.m., according to unofficial results from the county’s board of elections. That’s just a little more than the number who voted early (218,928).
Early data shows Cleveland’s turnout, not including any early voting results, clocks in at around 34%.
Across the county, Bentleyville’s in-person turnout — 66% of its 790 eligible voters — is among the current highest.
What Ohio’s final pre-Election Day voting numbers say about this year’s electorate
2:01 p.m. / Andrew Tobias
This year’s early-vote numbers show a definite shift away from mail voting. They also show rural counties making up a larger share of the early vote than previous elections.
The early vote translates to around 31.3% of all registered voters, although more early votes will be recorded and counted after Election Day. That’s because there are 152,152 unreturned mail ballots. These will count as long as they were postmarked by Monday, and they arrive at their county boards of election before Saturday, under a state law that was most recently updated in 2022.
Sixty percent of all early votes cast this year were done in person. That’s almost the opposite from previous elections, when in-person votes generally made up around one-third of the early vote.
You can read a full breakdown of the numbers here.
Around Ohio, voters are deciding on library levies
1:38 p.m. / Amy Morona
It’s not just the big-name national and state races on today’s ballots. Lots of local decisions will be made, too.
That includes 28 levy requests for public libraries across Ohio. More than half, according to this list produced by the state’s library council, are renewals.
Cuyahoga County isn’t one of them. Northeast Ohio’s only ask comes from Kingsville Public Library in Ashtabula County.
Funding for the state’s library systems is a little complex. The systems get 1.7% of however much Ohio earned in its general revenue fund — think streams such as sales and personal income taxes — from the previous month, per the council. This means the funding can fluctuate from month to month.
Approved levies, then, can help supplement that funding.
Cleveland City Hall closed for the rest of Election Day
1:00 p.m. | Najee Hall
Cleveland City Hall closed at 1 p.m.
Cleveland approved an election holiday for full-time workers last month, allowing employees to take four hours back.
“The idea is to not just enable people to vote, although that’s a big part of it, but to draw attention to the election itself, to the cornerstone of our democracy,” Austin Davis, the mayor’s senior policy advisor said.
Latino voting location seeing modest turnout
12:30 p.m. | Signal Cleveland
Voting at the polling location at Lincoln West High School, on Cleveland’s near West Side, was modest to “slightly brisk,” said a poll worker designated to talk to the reporters. The worker, who has manned the location for 14 years, said turnout appeared on par to previous presidential elections, at least at around 11:30 a.m.
The polling location is in the city’s Ward 14, which is home to a large Hispanic population. On Saturday, Latinos and others gathered at Lincoln West for a voter rally that took the form of a “caravana,” which featured decorated cars that drove around area neighborhoods to drum up voter enthusiasm. The event was organized by Cleveland Council Member Jasmin Santana, retired Judge Jose Villanueva and the activist group LatinOHs.
Turnout in Ward 14 was 20% at around noon, which put it second lowest among the city’s 17 wards.
Power outages don’t stop voting
12:15 p.m. | Signal Cleveland
More than 2,000 First Energy customers were without power as of 11:45 a.m.
Mike West, manager of the Outreach Department at Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, said ballot scanners will continue to work even if the power goes out. Each machine has a battery backup that will allow it to continue to scan ballots.
Trouble voting in Cuyahoga County?
11:35 a.m. | Signal Cleveland
If you run into any problems voting, you can reach the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections by calling 216-443-VOTE (8683)
The non-partisan Election Protection hotline can help. Run by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Common Cause and their partners, the hotline is available in multiple languages:
English: 866-OUR-VOTE – Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA – NALEO Educational Fund
Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US – Arab American Institute (AAI)
Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE – APIAVote & Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
If you see something that possibly violates Ohio’s election laws, report it to the Secretary of State’s Election Integrity Unit by using this form.
Did your Cuyahoga County polling location change?
11:10 a.m. | Signal Cleveland
More than 24,000 voters in Cuyahoga County were assigned a new polling location this year. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections informed those voters of the changes by mail. But there’s no harm in double (or triple) checking.
Anyone can check their polling location on the BOE’s web site or by calling 216-443-VOTE (8683).
City of Cleveland
Cleveland Ward 3, precincts I, L and Q
Old location: Old Stone Church
New location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Court
Voter parking is on East 6th Street off of Huron Road East. Voters must use street parking on the south side of East 6th Street. ADA Van parking sign is on the northeast side (left side) of the crosswalk. Four cones will be used to mark the street boundaries on each end of the parking space to mark the ADA parking space.
Cleveland Ward 6, precinct N
Old location: Woodhill Homes Community Center
New location: Morning Star Baptist Church, 10250 Shaker Blvd.
City of Maple Heights
Maple Heights Ward 1, precincts A and B
Old location: Maple Heights Board of Education
New location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 6009 Dunham Road
Maple Heights Ward 2, precincts A and B
Old location: Maple Heights Library
New location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 6009 Dunham Road
Maple Heights Ward 3, precincts A and B
Old location: Maple Heights High School
New location: Maple Heights Library, 5225 Library Lane
City of Shaker Heights
Shaker Heights precincts A and C
Old location: Woodbury Elementary School
New location: Plymouth Church UCC, 2860 Coventry Road
Shaker Heights precincts D and E
Old location: Woodbury Elementary School
New location: Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building, 3450 Lee Road
Shaker Heights precinct S
Old location: Woodbury Elementary School
New location: Fernway Elementary School, 17420 Fernway Road
City of South Euclid
South Euclid D precinct in Wards 2, 3 and 4
Old location: Regina Hall at Notre Dame College
New location: Vic’s Event Center, 1512 South Green Road
City of North Royalton
North Royalton Ward 5, precincts A, B, C and D
Old location: North Royalton City Hall
New location: North Royalton Elementary School, 16400 State Road
When will election results start coming in?
10 a.m. | Signal Cleveland
According to the Associated Press, first votes were reported for Ohio in November 2020 at 7:39 p.m.
About 95% of total votes cast were reported by midnight.
The Associated Press breaks down what to watch for in key states throughout the country here.
How long will it take to know the winner in the presidential race?
According to the Associated Press:
Election Day in the United States is now often considered election week as each state follows its own rules and practices for counting ballots — not to mention the legal challenges — that can delay the results. But the truth is, nobody knows how long it will take for the winner to be announced this time.
In 2020, the Associated Press declared President Joe Biden the winner on Saturday afternoon — four days after polls closed. But even then, the AP called North Carolina for Trump 10 days after Election Day and Georgia for Biden 16 days later after hand recounts.
Four years earlier, the 2016 election was decided just hours after most polls closed. The AP declared Trump the winner on election night at 2:29 a.m. (it was technically Wednesday morning on the East Coast).
This time, both campaigns believe the race is extremely close across the seven swing states that are expected to decide the election, barring a major surprise: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The size of the map and the tightness of the race make it hard to predict when a winner could be declared.
What’s Issue 1 in Ohio?
9:15 a.m. | Andrew Tobias, Signal Statewide
It’s an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would change the state’s system for drawing political district maps for Congress members and state lawmakers. Drawing maps is referred to as redistricting.
The fate of the world won’t change on Nov. 5th with the passage or failure of Issue 1. But Ohio must redraw its state legislative and congressional district lines at least every 10 years to reflect population changes. Issue 1 offers voters a chance to influence how the process unfolds, by backing or rejecting it.
If Issue 1 passes, the state’s legislative maps will be redrawn ahead of the 2026 elections, five years earlier than they would be if it fails, under the new rules. So will Ohio’s congressional maps, although they’re due for a redraw either way. That means you have a real hand in Ohio’s democracy.
Need more information? You can find our procrastinator’s guide here.
Where has Cuyahoga County lost and gained registered voters since 2016? And why does it matter?
8:45 a.m. | Nick Castele
As Greater Clevelanders stand in line to cast their ballots today, take a look at how voter registration patterns – and voting power – has shifted across Cuyahoga County over the last few presidential elections. Explore the map below and read Signal Cleveland Government reporter Nick Castele’s analysis.
I voted by mail. Can I track my absentee ballot?
7:55 a.m. | Signal Cleveland
Absolutely. Head over to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections’ website and drop in your name and birthdate so you can find out if your ballot made it back.
What happens if my absentee ballot was rejected?
In Ohio, a notice is mailed to voters whose absentee ballots were rejected.
Some of the most common reasons for rejection of absentee/vote-by-mail ballot are the return envelope is missing a signature, missing/incorrect date of birth or a signature that doesn’t match the one in the voter’s record.
Voters have until the fourth day after the election to resolve the issue.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will be open for voters to cure (correct) their provisional or absentee ballot ID envelope from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday of this week.
What do I need to take with me to vote?
7:15 a.m. | Signal Cleveland
When voting on Election Day, voters must present a photo ID. These are the acceptable options:
• Ohio driver’s license-unexpired
• State of Ohio ID card-unexpired
• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• U.S. military ID card
• Ohio National Guard ID card
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID cardOhio identification cards are free from Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ deputy registrar license agencies (locations). This interactive page can help you determine which personal documents you will need to bring to prove your identity.
What time does voting start on Election Day in Ohio?
Polls in Ohio open at 6:30 a.m.
What time do the polls close on Election Day?
Polls close at 7:30 p.m. If you are in line then but haven’t voted yet, you will be allowed to vote.
What’s on the ballot in Ohio and Cleveland?
You can find a roundup of what you expect to see on the ballot here. Of course the top races are the presidential and in Ohio the race for U.S. Senate and Issue 1. In Cleveland, voters also will decide on the Cleveland Metropolitan School District levy.
Where can I find election results?
We will have results for races after polls close. You can also find complete results at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections as well as the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
What’s the weather forecast?
It will be mostly sunny with a high of 76.
How do I find my polling location?
You can check your current polling location here. Or you can call the BOE at 216-443-8683 and select #2. A few polling locations have changed, so it does not hurt to double-check.
You can vote in-person at your assigned polling place on Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Taking public transportation to vote? Ride free on RTA anywhere in Cuyahoga County without a fare or tickets from 3 a.m. Nov. 5 until 3 a.m. Nov. 6.
And if you are helping a friend in another county find their polling location, you can find any of Ohio’s 88 boards of elections at the Secretary of State’s website.
Should I expect lines in Cuyahoga County?
Board of Elections Director Anthony Perlatti said voters will see lines on Election Day because of the county’s six-page ballot and the robust turnout typical of presidential years.
We will have reporters checking throughout the area and will keep you updated on what we are seeing throughout the day.