New voting deadlines take effect for May primary

Vote-by-mail and early in-person voting are underway for the May 2 primary. 

“The rules for voting-by-mail have drastically changed,” said Anthony Perlatti, director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Vote-by-mail ballot applications must now be received at the board of elections by 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25. That is seven days before election day. The former deadline was the Saturday before.

“I am encouraging individuals to send in their vote-by-mail ballot applications as soon as possible and to mail their voted ballots back to the Board of Elections promptly,” he said.

The postmark deadline for vote-by-mail ballots is the day before the election is May 1.   

There is also a new deadline related to the return of mailed vote-by-mail ballots. Timely postmarked ballots must arrive at the Board of Elections on or before the fourth day after the election, which is Saturday, May 6. The former deadline was 10 days after the election. The deadline for hand-delivered vote-by-mail ballots is 7:30 p.m. on election day.

Vote-by-mail ballot applications are available online at 443vote.us, by calling 216-443-VOTE (8683), or at all public libraries.

Photo Identification is now required for early in-person voting. Acceptable forms of photo identification are an Ohio driver’s license, Ohio state ID, military ID or a Passport or passport card.  Photo Identification is also required to cast a provisional ballot. Early in-person voting is located at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland. Visit 443vote.us for hours. ∞