County Still Plans to Send Absentee Ballot Applications to Voters

Cuyahoga County voters will still receive an application to vote by mail for this fall’s election, following a vote by the Cuyahoga County Council on Monday night. 

According to a press release from the county executive’s office, the council voted to have the Department of Public Works oversee the mailing. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted issued a directive on Aug. 22 prohibiting boards of elections from sending applications unless individuals request them. In the directive, Husted said that since not all counties mail the applications, it is not an equal system and it is unfair to voters across the state.  

According to the executive’s press release, Cuyahoga County has routinely sent applications to active voters since 2006.  

In Brecksville's last election in , more than 2,500 people filed absentee ballots, more than half of all the people . 

The Plain Dealer has been following the controversy surrounding the decision. An article published on Tuesday examines the reasons behind a mass mailing of applications, as well as potential roadblocks for the county.