All elections are important but the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7 will have an especially important effect on Berea. That’s because all elected offices in the City are on the ballot.

The office of Mayor, all members of City Council, the judge and clerk of the Berea Municipal Court are up for election. Three seats on the Board of Education also are on the ballot. 

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 10. You can register at the Berea Branch Library. Early In-Person voting at the Board of Elections in Cleveland begins on Oct. 11.  The Board is located at 2925 Euclid Ave.

In-Person voting hours are: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 11-17; 7:30 a.m.– :30 p.m., Oct. 30; 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Oct. 31; 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Nov. 1-3; 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Nov. 4; and 1-5 p.m., Nov. 5.

Also on Oct. 11, Vote By Mail ballots will be mailed to those who have applied. To request a Vote By Mail ballot, download the form at the Board of Election web site, www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov, or call the Board at (216) 443-8683.

Once you receive your Vote By Mail ballot and complete it, mail it to the Board of Elections and make sure it’s postmarked by Nov. 6.

If you prefer to vote on Election Day, remember that there have been changes in what forms of identification are accepted. These photo IDs are acceptable: Ohio Drivers License, Ohio state-Issued ID card, Interim ID issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, U.S. Passport or a U.S. military ID, National Guard ID or VA ID.

If you are unsure whether you are registered or the location of your polling place, contact the Board of Elections at (216) 443-8683 or go to the Board web site, www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov, where you can input your name and address and voter information will be provided.

This election is your chance to have a say on who represents you in your City. While the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress deal with issues of international and national importance, your local government handles issues that directly affect you – road repairs, snow removal, garbage pickup, for example.

Please join me and my family at the polls on Nov. 7. Voting locations are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.