EARLY VOTING WILL SOON BE UNDERWAY FOR THE MAY 8, 2018 PRIMARY ELECTION

(Cleveland) – Vote by mail and early voting for the May 8th Primary Election opens on April 10th at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.   

Elections elsewhere in the country have seen higher than normal turnout this year.  In similar primary elections 23% turnout would be considered normal.  “I am projecting 30% voter turnout with close to 80,000 people voting early or by mail and 180,000 voters are expected on Election Day for a total of and 260,000 ballots cast,”  said Pat McDonald, Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. 

The Primary winners will advance to the November General Election.  “I want to remind people that your vote matters and to stand up and be counted in the most exciting mid-term primary election in over a decade,” said Pat McDonald.  

There are 213 candidates running for 71 offices and judicial seats with 37 contested races.   “Both major parties are holding contested races for Governor and the Republicans have a contested race for the US Senate.  These important ballot decisions could, and should drive more voters to the polls, even those who tend to sit out primaries,” said McDonald. 

In addition, there is a statewide issue that would change the method Ohio lawmakers use to determine political boundaries and nearly a thousand Democrats are running for County Central Committee seats.

Voters are encouraged to submit their vote by mail ballot applications as soon as possible.  To request a ballot application visit: www.443vote.com, or call 216-443-VOTE (8683).  They are also available at all public libraries.  The Board will begin mailing ballots to voters on April 10th.

The Board of Elections is open for early voting on the following dates at these times:

Weekdays: April 10 to April 27         8:00 AM          5:00 PM

Weekdays: April 30 to May 4                        8:00 AM          7:00 PM

Saturday, May 05                              8:00 AM          4:00 PM

Sunday, May 06                                1:00 PM           5:00 PM

Monday, May 07                              8:00 AM          2:00 PM

The Board of Elections is located at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. 

Voter Registration Deadline:

The voter registration and change of address deadline for the May 8th Primary Election is Monday, April 9th, at 9:00 p.m.  Voters who have not registered, moved, or have changed their name, must complete and return a voter registration card on, or before the deadline. Voters also have the option of registering online at: www.443vote.com