Death, taxes, scrutinizing Cleveland voter turnout.

State of play: Cuyahoga County's unofficial turnout of 64% Tuesday trailed the state's (70%) and local totals in 2020 (71%), 2016 (69%) and 2012 (70%), per Board of Elections data.

The big picture: Increased participation in Northeast Ohio, the state's Democratic stronghold, would not have turned the tide in the presidential race, which Donald Trump won here by 11 points.

• But it may have affected the outcomes in the U.S. Senate race or Issue 1.
• Every county carried by Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown saw a decrease in turnout since 2020, an Axios review of election data found.

What they're saying: Ohio Democratic Party chair Elizabeth Walters said in a statement that Tuesday's results were disappointing, but that Dems were "up against hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate special interests who were hell bent on buying their elected officials."

Zoom in: Cuyahoga County Democratic Party chair Dave Brock tells Axios a combination of factors, including fraudulent national narratives about election security and the lack of visits by candidates at the top of ticket, may have contributed to the lackluster showing locally.

What's next: "We clearly need to find a message that resonates with voters — economics, justice, freedom," Brock says.

• "Democrats have done the most for people economically, at a national level, and we need to do a better job communicating that."

😬 Razor-thin margin in Cuyahoga County Council

The intrigue: In Council District 6 (southeastern suburbs), Democratic Challenger Robert Schleper has an infinitesimal lead on incumbent Republican Jack Schron, the president and CEO of Jergens, Inc. 

• If elected, Schleper would be the first openly gay member to serve on the body.

By the numbers: Before outstanding absentee and provisional ballots have been counted, Schleper's lead is 30,393 (50.01%) to 30,376 (49.99%) — 17 votes. 

✏️ School levy letdowns 

The intrigue: Though levies safely passed in Northeast Ohio's biggest cities — Cleveland and Akron — they failed elsewhere, including all new requests in Lorain County and virtually all in Summit County. 

Zoom in: In Cuyahoga County, results were 50/50. 

• Operating levies passed in Cleveland, Mayfield and Warrensville Heights while failing in Garfield Heights, Richmond Heights and Strongsville. 

🚬 Cigarette tax passes in landslide 

The intrigue: County residents affirmed their support for the arts by overwhelmingly supporting a tax increase on cigarettes.

By the numbers: The tax, which takes effect in February, will add 70 cents per pack and fund local nonprofit arts organizations.

Sen. JD Vance's status as vice president-elect means he will soon leave open a coveted Senate seat for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to fill.

How it works: By state law, the governor is tasked with filling any vacant Senate seat.

• DeWine's appointee will serve the next two years, then a special election will be held in November 2026 to decide who will finish the term.
• An election to a full six-year term will take place in 2028.

Between the lines: Local names floated for the seat include Vivek Ramaswamy, the Upper Arlington entrepreneur who unsuccessfully ran for president, and Rep. Mike Carey of Columbus, a former coal lobbyist who was just re-elected to a second full term.

• State Sen. Matt Dolan, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Attorney General Dave Yost and former state GOP chair Jane Timken were other names suggested to Axios earlier this year.

The bottom line: The appointee will likely be favored to win a full term should they choose to run for it.

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⛪️ A church downtown has purchased a former strip club at East 25th Street and St. Clair Avenue with plans to convert it into a coffee shop and event space. (News 5 Cleveland)

✝️ The nation's first independent repository for Catholic Sisters' archival collections has received design approval and could break ground downtown as early as March. (NEOtrans)

⚖️ A 23-year-old Port Clinton woman thought to be the orchestrator of Cleveland's street takeovers in late September has been indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury. (Fox 8)

⚾️ The Cleveland Guardians could land veteran Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen this offseason. (Sports Illustrated)

🚂 North Pole Adventure

The intrigue: The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad celebrates Christmas early with a holiday-themed trek that departs Rockside Station twice nightly tomorrow through Dec. 21.

• Tickets start at $57.

💭 Our thought bubble: See it. It's perfect for families and one of the rare public things you're encouraged to do in your pajamas.

🦖 Jurassic Quest

The intrigue: The I-X Center transforms into a prehistoric wonderland tomorrow through Sunday with larger-than-life dinosaur displays and activities.

• Tickets start at $22.

💭 Our thought bubble: Skip it. Reviews for Jurassic Quest are a mixed bag.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Miniature Two Piece Festival

The intrigue: Saturday's show at Beachland Tavern features four two-piece bands from Ohio, including The Baker's Basement, Factual Brains, The Super Babes and Urban Lair.

• Tickets are $10-12.

💭 Our thought bubble: See it. The show doubles as a release party for The Baker's Basement's new album.