CLEVELAND — A steady stream of early voters has election officials in Cuyahoga County expanding opportunities for residents to submit ballots.
During in-person early voting hours, manned ballot drop boxes are available in the parking lot of the Board of Elections and across the street outside Campus International High School. That’s the same lot where those who prefer to vote in-person can park.
Of the nearly 80,000 votes cast in the county through Thursday, election officials say about 30 percent of those were dropped-off absentee ballots.
“When you figure that on average, each individual brings two ballots—one for themself and one for their spouse in the household—that’s 16,500 cars that have come through in 10 days just for that purpose,” said Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Anthony Perlatti.
A close relative is permitted to drop off completed ballots for their loved ones. A complete list of people permitted to drop off ballots for one another is on the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website.
Because in-person early voting was not scheduled for Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, the Board of Elections unanimously voted Friday to extend the hours board employees can collect absentee ballots at drop boxes on those dates.
“To help with traffic congestion, get people through the process in a reasonable time,” said Perlatti.
Both of Cuyahoga County’s manned ballot drop boxes will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 18.
A secure drop box is also available at the Board of Elections 24 hours a day.
Election Day is November 3.
In Cuyahoga County, it costs 70 cents to mail an absentee ballot.
