My early in-person voting experience at the new Cuyahoga County BOE
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PD memories at the BOE. Photos: Sam Allard/Axios
👋 Sam here. I voted last week!
Why it matters: It was my first time ever voting early in person, and the first election where the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is operating out of its new headquarters on Superior Avenue.
Between the lines: The annual Axios editorial retreat in D.C. conflicts with Cleveland's primary (Tuesday, Sept. 9), so I took this opportunity to check out the BOE's new digs.
Catch up quick: The county approved a 17-year, $91 million lease for the former Plain Dealer building last year.
- It's roughly one mile away from the BOE's previous location on Euclid Avenue and includes nearly 800 surface parking spaces to accommodate the increasing number of voters who cast early ballots.
- At 11,000 square feet, it's also significantly larger than the old spot, which BOE director Anthony Perlatti has said will streamline the queuing process and increase the space for indoor voting booths.
What's on the ballot: Cleveland has seven wards with contested council races — including mine, the new Ward 7.
- Voters in East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights and Garfield Heights will whittle their mayoral fields down to two finalists each.
- In Cleveland Heights, incumbent Mayor Kahlil Seren is also facing a recall.
If you go: You must bring a valid form of photo identification.
- Early in-person voting will be open today through Friday from 8am to 5pm, with extended hours next week.
My take: The BOE has installed copious temporary signage, indoors and out, to ensure voters know exactly where they're going.
- I went Thursday afternoon and didn't have to wait for a single person in line, though a handful of voters trickled in during my interaction.
- I was in and out in less than 10 minutes.
Yes, but: I was bummed out for the duration, nostalgic for recent history when the PD's bustling newsroom occupied the state-of-the-art space, and reflecting on the paper's 21st-century diminishment.