VOTE BY MAIL OPENS FOR THE MARCH 6, 2012 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

(Cleveland) – Vote by Mail and Early Voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections for the March 6th Primary Election opens January 31st.  The Board of Elections will begin mailing ballots to voters who have submitted Vote by Mail ballot applications and voters will be able to begin voting early at the Board of Elections starting on January 31st.

The Board of Elections will not automatically mail ballot applications to voters for this election.  Voters must request a ballot application if they wish to Vote by Mail.

“We are encouraging voters to continue to take advantage of the convenience of voting by mail,” said Jane Platten, Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.  During the last Presidential Primary Election one of the worst ice storms in history slammed the area with snow, sleet, and freezing rain.  “Vote by Mail allows voters to cast their ballots from the warmth and comfort of their homes and they don’t have to worry about weather or lines at the polls,” said Platten.  Voting by mail also gives voters extra time to study the candidates and issues.

To request a ballot application visit: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us, or call 216-443-3298.  Vote by Mail ballot applications are also available at all public libraries.

The Board of Elections is open for early voting between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The Board of Elections is located at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland.  Voters can vote early from January 31st through March 2nd.  The Board will also be open for Early Voting on the following weekends:

• Saturday, February 18th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, February 19th from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

  ·         Saturday, February 25th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, February 26th from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

  Hand-delivered ballot applications must be returned by 6:00 p.m. on March 2nd.  Ballot applications that are returned by mail must be received by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on or before noon on March 3rd. 

  The voter registration and change of address deadline for the March 6th Primary Election is Monday, February 6th, at 9:00 p.m.  Voters who have not registered, or have moved and not updated their registration, must do so on or before February 6th.  Voter Registration Cards are available at public libraries and on the Board of Elections website: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us.

  Voters may call (216) 443-3298 with Vote by Mail and registration questions.  For additional information concerning the March 6th Primary Election visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us.