Cuyahoga County holds periodic press conference updating citizens on the coronavirus pandemic and other issues in the county.
The October 30 Cuyahoga County briefing began with County Executive, Armond Budish giving an update on the November 3 election.
Ohio has a state law that extends the time to count ballots so votes coming in after Tuesday should be counted .
Budish said according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, there is record turnout, as so far nearly 45,000 people have voted early in person whereas in 2016 the entire early vote count was just more than 38,000. He said vote-by-mail is also seeing strong turnout, with more than 341,000 applications for vote by mail ballots, 281,000 returned so far for an 83 percent return rate.
“We've already smashed the numbers of vote by mail ballots from 2016 when 193,000 ballots were received,” said Budish. “That's a wow.”
Budish said for those who still have absentee ballots can put them in the mail, as long as they are postmarked by Monday, November 2 they should count even if they don’t arrive to the Board of Elections by Tuesday. Budish stressed people should check the pickup time on the mailbox before dropping it in to make sure it’s counted. He also stressed that in contrast to some court decisions involving other states where ballot may not count if they’re received after Election Day, Ohio has a state law that extends the time to count ballots so votes coming in after Tuesday should be counted.
Polling locations are following COVID protocols including sanitizing, social distancing and masks and said people who vote in person should bring and wear a mask.
Budish said folks can still drive up to the county’s one ballot drop box at the Board of Elections at East 30th street downtown up until polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Voting early here is also an option through Monday, and local polling places will be open on Tuesday.
Budish then said that the Sheriff’s Department is charged with protecting the the security of ballots. He said the sheriff has plans for during and after the election to ensure both ballot security and safe access to polling sites while “maintaining order and peace….and preventing any harassment or intimidation.”
“Their goal is to make people feel safe and secure and to make sure that our voting process is safe and uneventful,” said Budish. “If you see or hear any harassment or intimidation call immediately if you believe what you are seeing is an emergency you should call 911.” If it’s not an emergency Budish said people should call the Sheriff’s Department at 216-443-6085.
“We've already smashed the numbers of vote by mail ballots from 2016 when 193,000 ballots were received,” said Budish. “That's a wow.”
He also stressed polling locations are following COVID protocols including sanitizing, social distancing and masks and said people who vote in person should bring and wear a mask.
Budish also urged voters to be vigilant about misinformation. He referenced and earlier instance of robocalls going out in Shaker Heights saying polling locations will be closed on Election Day which is not true. Budish said federal authorities like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are aware of the calls and other similar efforts across the country. He urged those with questions about voting call the Board of Elections at 216-443-VOTE.
