Greater Clevelanders will have at least two chances to exercise the right to vote soon. Now is the time to register to vote in the May 6 Primary. The deadline to register is April 7.
What you’ll see on the May 6 ballot
There is one statewide issue, Issue 2. Known as the Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment, it would authorize a $2.5 billion general obligation bond to fund the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). The money would go to local governments in the form of grants or loans for public infrastructure projects, including road repairs, updating storm water collection systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.
Read an argument for Issue 2 here.
Read an argument against Issue 2 here.
Some cities will have primary runoffs for municipal offices.
And there will be school levies.
Parma City Schools are back on the ballot with a 10-year operating levy. Voters defeated similar operating levy requests in 2017 and 2018.
Bay Village City Schools have a levy on the ballot that would combine two current bond issues that are expiring and generate approximately $2.9 million annually without increasing taxes.
Register to vote
But first things first: Are you registered to vote? You have until April 7 to take care of that. There are several ways to register:
Click on this link to register online. At the top of the page you will find a video that walks you through the process. You can use the same link to update your address if you’ve moved since the last time you voted.
You can call the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at 216-443-8683 and ask to have a registration form mailed to you.
Or, you can also 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’re not sure about your registration status, you can check on this page.
Do I need ID to register to vote?
No. You can register with the last four digits of your Social Security number.
But state law requires a photo ID to vote in person, either early or on Election Day. These are the acceptable options:
- An unexpired Ohio driver’s license* or state-issued ID card**
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
*A suspended driver’s license is acceptable as long as it’s not expired. A driver’s license or state ID with the voter’s previous address is also acceptable.
**Ohio identification cards are free from Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ deputy registrar license agencies (find locations here). This interactive page can help you determine which personal documents you will need to bring to prove your identity.
You don’t need ID to vote by mail, and if you’re already registered, you can request or download a vote-by-mail application now.
For more May primary election information
If you have any questions about voting in Cuyahoga County, contact the Board of Elections at 216-443-8683 (VOTE).
You’ll find lots more information about voting in Ohio on the Secretary of State’s web site. If you can’t find an answer to your question, let us know.