CLEVELAND — Voters in all or parts of seven municipalities in Cuyahoga County will have to wait several extra days to begin early voting ahead of the Nov. 2 election, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections said Friday. 

What You Need To Know

  • Some Cuyahoga County voters will not be able to participate in the first days of early voting

  • Candidates from the Sept. 16 primary have until Wednesday to file for a recount

  • Early voting for much of Cuyahoga County begins Tuesday

  • Voters in Cleveland and parts or all of six surrounding towns will be forced to wait until Oct. 7

Early voting throughout Ohio starts on Tuesday, but because candidates fromlast month’s primary have until Wednesday to file for a recount, early voting in areas that held primaries will not be able to commence until Thursday. 

If a recount takes place, early voting would be further pushed back, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections said. 

Friday’s announcement affects voters in the following jurisdictions: East Cleveland, Lakewood, Bay Village Ward 3, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Garfield Heights and Solon Ward 4.

It’s unclear whether any candidates will seek a paid recount. Under Ohio law, candidates are entitled to an automatic recount if a local race falls within .5%. According to the results from the Sept. 16 primary, none of the races fell within the automatic recount margin.

Cuyahoga is unique among Ohio counties to have local primaries so close to the general election. Other larger Ohio counties, including Franklin, Hamilton, have municipal primaries in May. Summit County also now has its municipal primaries in May after years of having September primaries.

In-person early voting is open at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office on weekdays Oct. 5-22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 25-29 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Board of Elections will have weekend hours on Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 1-5 p.m. The final day of in-person early voting is Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

No in-person early voting will be held on Oct. 11 due to the national holiday.

Voters can also obtain a form for a mail-in ballot on the Board of Elections website.

 

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