Questions about vote-by-mail? Here are some answers

Did you request a mail-in ballot and are wondering where it is? Track My Ballot has answers!

• Go to boe.cuyahogacounty.gov. In the upper left corner, click on Track My Ballot.
• Enter your last name and birthdate, and click Search. 
• Select your record and choose the November 3, 2020, election.
• If you requested a mail-in ballot, you will see the date your application was processed, the date by which it will be placed in the mail, and (if you have returned it) the date it was received by the Board of Elections.

Alternatively, call 216-443-VOTE (8683), select option 4, and follow the prompts.

Should you trust the Post Office to deliver your ballot?

Yes – but mail it early, on the off chance the postmark is unclear or absent. Ballots must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 2 and received by Nov. 13.

Can you deliver it yourself?

Yes. You can deliver your ballot any day, any time to the Board of Elections (BOE), 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. The drop boxes are off East 30th Street, with clear signage and 24x7 security. You can stay in your car. If it's busy, an election official may offer to take your ballot; just verify they have proper ID. Only you or a close family member may deliver your ballot, so if friends ask you to deliver theirs, take them along.

What if you forget to affix $0.70 postage?

Per Post Office policy, your ballot will be returned to the sender – the BOE – but it may be delayed or not properly postmarked. Check it twice, and mail it early.

Will your ballot count?

Upon receipt, the BOE will open the outer envelope and verify your information and signature on the inner security envelope. If there is a problem and you provided contact information, they will attempt to contact you. If there's no problem, they will open the inner envelope and scan your ballot. Within a few days, Track My Ballot will reflect that it has been received. On Election Night, mail-in ballots will be tabulated before any other ballots are counted.

Can you cancel your write-in ballot and vote in person?

The most straightforward option is to take your mail-in ballot to the BOE and vote early, in person. If you vote on Election Day, either at the BOE or your regular polling place, you will be given a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are counted only after the BOE has verified no mail-in ballot was received – that is, after Nov. 13.

Questions?

Check the Board of Elections' website, boe.cuyahogacounty.gov, or call 216-443-VOTE (8683). Ohio has a long history of mail-in voting and excellent safeguards against errors and fraud. Rest assured that your mail-in vote is as safe and as sure as your vote at the polls.