YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE

General Election Tuesday, November 7, 2023

There is no such thing as an Off Year Election…look at all the important stuff on the ballot!

 

Statewide Issue 1

A Self Executing Amendment Relating to Abortion and Other Reproductive Decisions
(Proposed Constitutional Amendment / Proposed by Initiative Petition)

Statewide Issue 2

To Commercialize, Regulate, Legalize and Tax the Adult Use of Cannabis
(Proposed Law / Proposed by Initiative Petition)

Cuyahoga County Issue

Tax Levy to Support Cuyahoga Community College

Municipal Elections within Cuyahoga County

School, Library and Community Tax Levies
Municipal Court Judges
Mayors, Members of Council, Clerks, Treasurers, Law Directors and More

More Information on What is On the Ballot and Statewide Issues 1 and 2: https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/election-faqs

Please find below a collection of publicly available voting resources collected for your convenience. Breakthrough does not endorse any political party or candidate, but we strongly encourage you to participate in our democracy to make your voice heard.

"The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society. We must use it."

John Lewis

WHY VOTE

If you're 18 or over on election day, your thoughts and voice matter in helping shape our community, state, country and world.

Consistently exercising our right to vote makes it more likely our children will have the right to vote… it’s not a given.

Set an example for our families and friends.

Honor history: Edmund Pettus Bridge Bloody Sunday and 1965 Voting Rights Act.

JUST THE FACTS

General Election Date: November 7, 2023 • Deadline for Registering/Updating Existing Registration: October 10, 2023 •

Anyone 18 years old or older on or before November 7, 2023 is eligible to register to vote • Mark your calendars!

 

*The information in this section is geared to the 11/07/2023 General Election in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. If you have any voting questions, you can also contact the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections:

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
2925 Euclid  Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216)  443-8683  |  https://www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov

Who is eligible to vote?
  • 18 years or older (as of 11/07/2023)
  • United States Citizen
  • Resident of Ohio (for at least 30 days prior to 11/07/2023)
  • Not currently incarcerated for felony conviction
  • Not declared incompetent to vote by probate court
  • Not permanently disenfranchised for violating election laws
What are the ways I can vote?
  • In person voting (early or day of election) or absentee voting (no reason required).
  • Early in person voting: at Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 10/11 - 10/27 (Mon through Fri only) 8 am - 5 pm, 10/30 Mon 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, 10/31 Tues 7:30 am – 8:30 pm, 11/01 - 11/03 Wed - Fri 7:30 am – 7:30 pm, 11/04 Sat 8 am – 4 pm, 11/05 Sun 1 pm - 5 pm. (https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/early-voting/) Bring required ID (see below).
  • Day of election in person voting: 11/07 6:30 am to 7:30 pm at Cuyahoga County Board of Elections or assigned poll location (https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/polling-location/).  Bring required ID (see below).
What are acceptable forms of ID?
  • Acceptable forms of ID (https://www.ohiosos,gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/ ): simplest form of ID, if available, is unexpired photo ID issued by Ohio or US government (with address conforming to poll list information unless ID is Ohio driver’s license or state ID card, in which case former address is sufficient). The following will also work (subject to further details described at link above): passport or passport card, military ID, Ohio National Guard ID, and Veterans Affairs ID.
  • Unacceptable forms of ID include: utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, out-of-state driver’s license or ID card, social security card, birth certificate, and registration acknowledgement documents.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
  • Absentee ballot application: download and fill out on line (https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/forms/11-a_english.pdf), then print and sign, and return completed and signed application by mail or hand-delivery to Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Information required to complete application form, in addition to name, registration address and date of birth, includes last four digits of social security number OR Ohio driver’s license number OR copy of acceptable form of ID described above (front and back).  Also supply, if applicable, address other than registration address to send ballot. 
  • Technical deadline for receipt by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections of absentee ballot application is 10/31 8:30PM, but as practical matter submit application in sufficient time for application processing, mailing the absentee ballot package to voter and timely return of voter’s completed absentee ballot.
  • Person desiring to vote in person after applying for an absentee ballot must vote by provisional ballot. Go to https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-voting/ for further information.
How do I return my absentee ballot?
  • Complete and return absentee ballot (https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/forms/12.pdf): If you submitted an absentee ballot application, you should receive in the mail an absentee ballot package (ballot, identification envelope, and return envelope).
  • IT IS ESSENTIAL TO EXACTLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS in completing, packaging, sealing and returning absentee ballot and accompanying materials.  Mark ballot with your election choices and otherwise follow instructions on ballot. Print your name and address on outside of identification envelope (if not already pre-printed).
  • Provide ONE of following:
    • Last four digits of social security number, or
    • Ohio driver’s license number, or
    • Copy of acceptable form of ID (described in absentee ballot package instructions).
  • Note: if providing copy of acceptable form of ID versus last four digits of social security number or Ohio driver’s license number, place copy of ID in return envelope separate from identification envelope.
  • Sign your name on outside of identification envelope.
  • Seal voted ballot into identification envelope, place sealed identification envelope into return envelope (along with copy of ID if applicable), and seal return envelope.
  • Mail or hand-deliver sealed absentee ballot return envelope to Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
  • Hand-delivery must be made by voter or voter’s spouse, father, mother, child or other permitted “near relative” no later than 11/07 7:30 pm.
  • Mailing (affixed postage only) must be post-marked no later than 11/06 and received no later than 11/11.
Are there any other special SITUATION voting rules?

There are specific situations with special voting rules, which are detailed with links below:

Where is the Cuyahoga County board of elections?

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid  Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 /  (216)  443-8683 / https://www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
  • Already registered with current name at current address, you’re ready to vote in upcoming election!
  • If not registered or registration information (name or address) has changed, register or update registration no later than 10/10/2023 on line, by mail, or in person.  Information required: Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number, name, date of birth, address, last four digits of social security number.
  • To register on line or for further information on registering by mail or in person, go to https://olvr.ohiosos.gov.

VOTING TOOLKIT

To check your registration, see sample ballot, find your polling location, or track your ballot, visit Ohio's official Voting Toolkit.

Felony Conviction Does Not Bar Voting in Ohio

A felony conviction does not bar a person from voting in Ohio so long as the person is not currently incarcerated for the felony.  This is true whether or not the person convicted of the felony is on probation or parole.  A person who was incarcerated for a felony conviction must register to vote after release (even if previously registered) in order to vote.  A person is also eligible to vote while incarcerated on a misdemeanor or felony charge awaiting disposition.  Two convictions for violating Title 35 of the Ohio Revised Code (pertains to election law fraud) will permanently bar a person from voting in Ohio.

KEY VOTING FACTS

Every vote matters.

Many elections are won by a very thin margin. Every vote truly matters, especially in swing states like Ohio — make sure yours is cast!

More people can have a greater say in their lives by voting.

On average, only about ½ of eligible voters typically vote. This is your right as a U.S. citizen. Exercise your right!

Elections impact you directly.

Local elected officials and local issues are also on the ballot, including judges, taxes, and more.

Your address must be accurate.

Your name and address on file must be current, or your vote will not be valid. You can check this easily HERE.

Voting by mail is safe and valid.

Avoid long lines and crowds by voting by mail.  Learn more about Vote-by-Mail HERE.

NOT SURE IF YOU ARE REGISTERED?

The links below will take you to the appropriate, official websites for address verification, and, if needed, voter registration.

Thank you!

Breakthrough Public Schools encourages all citizens to actively engage in our democracy and to vote.

"A republic… if you can keep it."

Benjamin Franklin