Are you ready for the May 3 primary election?

Today or tomorrow would be a good day to apply for a mail-in-ballot. You can do this by visiting the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website (boe.cuyahogacounty.gov) or by asking for an application form at a library.

The primary election date is May 3. However, this election may not include state and federal legislators since the Ohio Redistricting Committee’s duty to produce constitutional district boundaries for the Ohio House and Senate and U.S. Congress is still under legal scrutiny. (For more detail on this controversial approval situation, visit the website of the Ohio Secretary of State, www.ohiosos.gov). A second primary election later in the year may be necessary.

The immediate action of applying for a mail-in ballot is recommended because once you are on the list of those asking for a mail-in-ballots, you are assured of being able to vote whenever the primary election(s) occur. (Remember, you can go to the polls in person on May 3, even if you requested a mail-in-ballot. Just do not fill out the mailed ballot.)

April 4 was the last day to register as a new voter or to change an address. If you were not able to register by the deadline, complete that step as soon as possible so you will be eligible for the Fall 2022 general election. If you have all the required information, you can register online at VoteOhio.gov. You can also register to vote at the Board of Elections office, 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, and at a local library.

The current list of would-be office holders and of proposed issues and charter amendments is already available at the Board of Elections website. Campaigns are off to a cautious start even though another primary election for state and federal legislators may be scheduled for a later date. To stay informed about election dates, reapportionment and redistricting, check the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland’s website, lwvgreatercleveland.org, and its social media pages.

Early voting for the May 3 primary election opened Tuesday, April 5. With your mail-in-ballot request on file, you will be certain to get the legal ballot(s) when they become available. Then your task is to return your ballot by the established deadline. Early in-person voting will be available at the Board of Elections building. The time schedule is available on the Board of Elections website, boe.cuyahogacounty.gov.

The League of Women Voters likes to remind voters that one never has to vote for everything on a ballot. If you only want to vote on an issue, do so. If you only want to vote for one particular position, do so. And, if you want non-partisan information on any of the candidates and issues, you can find a lot of detail about candidates and pros and cons about the issues on the League’s voter information site, VOTE411.org.

Kathy Woolner & Nadia Zaiem

The co-authors both live in Westlake and are co-chairs of the Westlake/North Olmsted Chapter, League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland

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Volume 14, Issue 7, Posted 10:54 AM, 04.05.2022