Cuyahoga County Voter Turnout 2020: Early Vote Record Shattered

CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County will need strong voter turnout on election day to eclipse vote totals from 2016 and 2012.

As of 11:15 a.m., 473,458 votes were cast in Cuyahoga County. That represents 53.41 percent voter turnout. The majority of those votes (359,264) were cast early. Polls will close at 7:30 p.m., so expect that tally to rise throughout the day.

Cuyahoga County is crucial for Democratic hopes in Ohio. In 2016, Hillary Clinton received398,276 votes from the county, or 65 percent of the vote. That was actually down versus Barack Obama's performances in 2012 (447,273 votes, 69 percent of total vote) and 2008 (458,422, 68 percent of total vote). Clinton lost Ohio by approximately 500,000 votes in 2016.

In 2016, 597,485 ballots were cast by registered voters in Cuyahoga County. That was down more than 50,000 votes versus 2012 when 650,437 Cuyahogans voted, according to the Board of Elections.

However, in 2020, early voting has already surpassed some records in Cuyahoga County. Cuyahoga County Board of Elections data shows 341,917 vote-by-mail ballots were requested this year and 90 percent (306,932) have already been returned. In 2016, 192,761 absentee ballots were completed in Cuyahoga County, 221,585 ballots were completed in 2012.

Between Oct. 6 and Nov. 2, 51,465 Cuyahoga County residents voted early and in-person, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections said. That's up significantly versus 2016 (38,413 early votes) and 2012 (45,400). However, Cuyahoga County residents turned out early in record numbers in 2008, when 54,007 votes were cast in-person and early.

Despite the surge in early voting, election officials have assured Patch the voting process is proceeding smoothly on Tuesday. Voters from around Cuyahoga County have said they saw long lines, but experienced a smooth, efficient voting process.

Katherine O'Meara voted in Fairview Park. She said she waited for 20 to 25 minutes, but the line moved at a steady pace and most voters wore masks.

"They followed hygiene and safety protocols and there wasn't any issue for me. And I was really excited to see all these people voting! First time I've seen this many people at an election," she told Patch.

Voter turnout in traditional Democratic strongholds, like Lakewood and Cleveland, was down in 2016. Donald Trump cruised to victory in Ohio that year, winning the Buckeye State by nearly 500,000 votes.