Cuyahoga County breaks early voting record with 50,000 ballots cast

Cuyahoga County has set a new record for early in-person voting, with more than 50,000 residents casting ballots before the period closed on Sunday. This total exceeds the combined number of early in-person votes from the last two midterm elections, when the county struggled to surpass 20,000. The surge brings this year's participation levels closer to those typically seen in presidential election years. The final early voters arrived at the Board of Elections just as the deadline passed.

The record comes amid closely watched races for governor and senator that have drawn national attention. The high volume of early voters has shifted the focus for remaining participants to the rules governing mail-in ballots. The legal requirements for counting these ballots have changed for this election cycle. Previously, a ballot needed only to be postmarked by Election Day to be counted. That deadline has been replaced by a stricter rule requiring physical arrival by the close of polls.

For voters who still have a vote-by-mail ballot at home, the timing is now critical. The ballot must reach the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. If the ballot is not received by that time, it will not be counted. The only remaining option for late-arriving mail-in ballots is to drop them in person. Secure drop boxes at local Board of Elections offices will be open until the polls close.

In other local news, a judge will rule on Monday at 1 p.m. regarding a high school football playoff dispute between Glenville and University School. The conflict began Thursday when the Ohio High School Athletic Association disqualified Glenville. A judge reinstated the team on Friday, but University School refused to play the rescheduled game. Glenville players suited up Saturday for a contest that was officially postponed, leaving both schools to await the final decision.

The family of Jaiden Tunson, a 17-year-old Shaker Heights High School student, will hold a press conference this morning. It will be their first public statement since the weekend arrest of Khalil Woods, an 18-year-old University Heights resident. Police found Woods in the passenger seat of a car stopped for running a red light on Saturday. An active warrant for aggravated murder was issued for Woods, who is a suspect in Tunson's shooting death. The family plans to thank the community and discuss local violence prevention organizations.

A federal trial involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers also begins on Monday. Jury selection will start in the case against Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who are charged with an illegal baseball betting scheme. Clase faces accusations of rigging nearly 50 games since 2023. Both pitchers have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Opening statements are scheduled to begin once a jury is seated.

In Avon Lake, voters may soon decide on Issue 16, which proposes raising the income tax rate by 0.4 percent over six years. City Council President Geoffrey Smith stated that the city has approximately $40 million in road work needs. He noted that some roads are more than 50 years old and that current funding only covers maintenance. The city has not yet set aside repair funds for next year while it waits for the election results.