Early in-person voting sets new record in Cuyahoga

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CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cuyahoga County voters on Friday set a new record for early in-person voting, eclipsing a record of 54,000 that was set in 2008.

Just before the final weekend of early voting before the Nov. 5 general election, the turnout remained strong with voters waiting in long lines to get in.

Among them have been numerous first time voters, 18-year-olds who were just 2 years old when the previous record was set.

They included two buses of 18-year-old students from Warrensville Heights High School, along with their superintendent.

“We just told them that it’s their civic duty to vote. You know it’s very important to do, research to find out the issues and the policies and the candidates and then make the best decision for them,” said Donald Jolly.

Also among them was Angelina Cornell, a Cleveland State University student, along with two of her friends from the university — all of them voting for the first time.

“I mean, I’m happy to be a part of that process,” said Cornell.

“I’m a little bit nervous because I have never done this before,” said Abby Call, who told FOX 8 News she spent time researching the candidates and the issues and was comfortable with how she would vote when she made it inside.

“I mean, every vote counts. Whoever chooses — I mean, that’s their choice,” said Chardar Henry.

The three not only marked a historic moment in their lives but were excited to be participating in a process that can help shape history itself.

“Everywhere people say, ‘How do we get the young people to vote?’ So certainly, first-time voters that are young people doing this for the first time — it’s extremely exciting, and they should be applauded, and that’s exactly what they do,” said Mike West of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

While the early in-person turnout is officially record-setting, West said the mail-in ballot numbers were 30,000 lower than usual.

“We still project about a 70% turnout overall for the election, so we think a lot of the would-be vote-by-mail voters plan to come out and vote on Election Day,” said West.

There are two days remaining for early in-person voting, with the board of elections open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, and from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.

The board of elections predicts a large turnout at the polls on Tuesday, saying they are ready for Election Day.

“We’d be really thrilled if we exceed 70%. That would reflect some really excited, passionate voters,” said West

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Dave Nethers

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