What makes the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections so vital? This board, established in 1886, ensures fair and transparent elections in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. With a bipartisan structure, it balances political interests and maintains election integrity. From managing voter registration to overseeing Election Day operations, the board's mission is to provide accurate results and equal voting opportunities. Scandals in 1928 and 1992 led to significant reforms, reinforcing its commitment to transparency. The board also engages the community through voter education, early voting, and the Future of Democracy program for high school students. Supporting democracy, it offers roles for Election Day workers, emphasizing civic participation.
Key Takeaways:
- The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, established in 1886, ensures fair elections through bipartisan leadership and continuous reforms, making it an essential institution in Ohio's democratic landscape.
- The board engages the community through voter education, early voting options, and the Future of Democracy program, providing resources and opportunities for citizens to participate in the electoral process.
The Origins and Structure of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has a long history and a well-defined structure that ensures fair and transparent elections. Let's explore its beginnings and how it operates.
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Establishment: Organized in 1886, the board was created to supervise elections and administer Ohio's new voter registration law.
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Historical Context: In the same year, Cleveland's city council re-divided the city into 40 wards, establishing precincts and appointing two registrars in each precinct to register voters.
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Bipartisan Board: Initially, the board was composed of two Democrats and two Republicans, ensuring a balanced and fair oversight of elections.
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Leadership Structure: The board elects a chairman, a clerk, and a deputy clerk from its members to supervise elections and establish procedures.
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Political Patronage: Political patronage has always been part of board activity, with jobs shared equally between Republicans and Democrats.
Scandals and Reforms
Throughout its history, the board has faced scandals that led to significant reforms, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
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Scandals and Reforms: In 1928, a grand jury uncovered widespread fraud in vote-counting, leading to the replacement of the entire board and the indictment of 31 precinct officers.
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Computer Rigging Incident: In 1992, errors such as computer rigging, double voting, and missing ballots were discovered, highlighting the need for continuous improvement.
Mission and Objectives
The board's mission and objectives are centered around conducting fair and transparent elections, ensuring every citizen's right to vote.
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Mission Statement: The board's mission is to serve Cuyahoga County citizens by faithfully conducting the election process.
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Principal Role: The board's principal role is to administer elections, providing access and opportunity for all citizens to participate.
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Objectives: The board aims to provide prompt and accurate election results, assure equal opportunity, and conduct activities efficiently.
Policies and Procedures
The board has established various policies and procedures to maintain transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
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Staff and Board Members: The board creates, releases, and awards bids for equipment, materials, and services in accordance with Ohio laws.
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Policy on Openness: The board believes that openness leads to a better-informed citizenry, resulting in better government and public policy.
Voter Education and Engagement
The board is committed to educating voters and engaging the community in the electoral process.
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Voter Education Tools: The board operates a library providing materials to assist organizations and individuals in encouraging voter registration and understanding voting options.
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National Voter Registration Day: The board partners in the annual National Voter Registration Day event, offering resources to help groups participate.
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Election Integrity Series: The board focuses on providing accurate information and addressing misconceptions to ensure public trust in the electoral process.
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Rumor Control Center: This center is part of the board's efforts to provide accurate information and address any rumors about the electoral process.
Election Day Workers
Election Day workers play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of elections. The board has specific requirements and expectations for these workers.
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Election Day Workers: People are needed to staff the polls, transport ballots, and maintain political balance. Starting pay for Precinct Election Officials is $220.
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Requirements for Election Day Workers: Workers must be registered voters in Cuyahoga County, never convicted of a felony, and not be a candidate for an office.
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High School Election Day Workers: High school students can participate if they are at least 17 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of Cuyahoga County.
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Expectations for High School Workers: High school workers must attend training, organize polling locations, and work from 5:30 am until the polls close.
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Pay for High School Workers: High school workers receive the same pay as other Precinct Election Officials, which is $220.
Future of Democracy Program
The board is interested in engaging students, teachers, and administrators in the electoral process through the Future of Democracy program.
- Future of Democracy Program: This program aims to engage students, teachers, and administrators in the electoral process. Interested parties can contact Arianne Morrow for more information.
Election Schedule and Early Voting
The board provides detailed information about the election schedule and early voting options to ensure voters are well-informed.
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Election Schedule: Election Day is November 5, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by the board by 7:30 p.m.
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Early Voting: Early voting starts on October 8, and voters must vote at their county board of elections if voting early.
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Voting Information: Citizens can get voting information, including sample ballots and vote-by-mail applications, from the board's website.
Ballot Collection and Upcoming Events
The board has set up ballot collection sites and has several upcoming events to engage the community.
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Ballot Collection Site: During the Nov. 2024 absentee voting period, the board will have a drive-up Ballot Collection Site outside its office.
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Upcoming Events: The board has several upcoming events, including a Board Meeting on November 1, 2024, and a Mobile Food Pantry on October 25, 2024.
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No Early In-Person Voting the Weekend of October 19-20: There will be no Early In-Person voting the weekend of October 19-20.
Cuyahoga County Races
Cuyahoga County has several races in the 2024 elections, with candidates running for various positions.
- Cuyahoga County Races: The county has several races, including Prosecutor, County Council seats, and General Division seats.
Hamilton County Races
Hamilton County also has several races in the 2024 elections, with candidates running for various positions.
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Hamilton County Races: The county has races for Prosecutor, Sheriff, Clerk of Courts, Auditor, Treasurer, Coroner, Engineer, Recorder, and County Commission seats.
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Common Pleas: Hamilton County also has several Common Pleas races, including General Division seats.
City and Township Ballot Measures
Cuyahoga County has numerous ballot measures, but not every voter will vote on each one.
- City and Township Ballot Measures: The county has 55 ballot measures, including a proposed tax levy for the Cleveland Municipal School District.
Voting Information Resources
The board provides various resources to help citizens stay informed about voting.
- Voting Information Resources: Citizens can find voting information resources on the board's website, including sample ballots and vote-by-mail applications.
Supporting Democracy
Becoming an Election Day Worker is a great way to support democracy and earn some extra cash.
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Supporting Democracy: The starting pay for Precinct Election Officials is $220, and high school students can also participate in the Future of Democracy program.
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Engaging the Community: The board's efforts in voter education, election integrity, and community engagement make it an essential institution in Ohio's democratic landscape.
The Heart of Democracy in Cuyahoga County
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has been a cornerstone of fair and transparent elections since 1886. From handling voter registration to ensuring election integrity, this board plays a vital role in upholding democracy. With a bipartisan structure, it works tirelessly to provide accurate election results and equal opportunities for all citizens. Scandals and reforms have shaped its history, but the board remains committed to continuous improvement. Programs like the Future of Democracy engage young people, while the Election Integrity Series combats misinformation. Whether you're a voter, a high school student, or an Election Day worker, there's a place for everyone to contribute. The board's dedication to transparency, accuracy, and community engagement makes it an essential institution in Ohio's democratic landscape. Supporting the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections means supporting democracy itself.
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