Office of Civic Engagement

2021 Election Resources and Information

Important 2021 Election Dates and Deadlines | Voter Registration Tables | Recommended-Non-Partisan-Resources | The OCE Wants CSU Students to Make a Plan to Vote | Partners 


Ohio General Elections are on November 2, 2021. Learn more. » 

General Election Vote Early Dates And Times


Important 2021 Election Dates and Deadlines 

MAY PRIMARY

  • Registration Deadline: April 5, 2021
  • Election Date: May 4, 2021

AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTION 

  • Registration Deadline: July 6, 2021
  • Election Date: August 3, 2021

GENERAL ELECTION DAY

  • Registration Deadline: October 4, 2021
  • Election Date: November 2, 2021

    The Office of Civic Engagement Will Host Several Voter Registration Tables Through October 2021

    The Office of Civic Engagement, in partnership with NOVA, will be hosting 29 Voter Registration Tables across campus on 12 different dates between August 21st and October 26th, 2021. Be sure to stop by if you need to register to vote, update your registration, or register to vote by mail. For more information see this event schedule. 


    2021 Special Election for Ohio's 11th Congressional District
    Ballotpedia defines a "Special Election" as a required election that is held in the event of a vacancy. In December of 2020, then President-Elect Joe Biden nominated Ohio Congresswomen Marcia Fudge to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in his Cabinet. 

    The Senate voted to confirm Congresswomen Fudge on March 10, 2021, triggering Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to schedule a Special Election to fill the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives now Secretary Fudge is vacating. 

    Key Race Dates and Reminders
    •    The Primary for the Special Election will take place on August 3, 2021. Both the Democratic and the Republican Parties will hold a Primary Election to officially nominate a candidate for the Special Election. 
    •    The Special Election will take place on November 2, 2021. The Special Election will feature the Democratic and Republican nominee. 
    •    All registered voters who reside in Ohio's 11th Congressional District are able to participate in this Special Election Primary and Special Election. 

    For More Information on This Race and Declared Candidates Visit: https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio%27s_11th_Congressional_District_special_ele... 


    OCE Inauguration Day Slide

    • Thomas Jefferson was the first President to have his Inauguration in Washington, D.C.
    • Presidential Inaugurations took place in March until 1937. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first President to be sworn in on January 20th.
      President Obama's first Inauguration had the largest attendance, with 1.8 million spectators.
    • President Truman's Inauguration in 1949 was the first to be televised.
    • President Reagan's second Inauguration was the coldest in history, the high temperature for the day was 7 degrees.
    • President Clinton's second Inauguration in 1997 was the first to be live streamed online.
    • President George W. Bush's first Inauguration was the first Inauguration to take place in the 21st Century.

    OCE Local Elections 2021

    It is common for local elections to receive a lower level of attention and participation from voters after a major election year, like we just had, that dominates the news cycle. However, local elections are extremely important to remain civically engaged in. Take a look at the list below to see a preview of some of the exciting local and state civic events and opportunities happening this year.

    1. The Cleveland Mayoral Race
    2. The May 2021 Primary for Local Races throughout Ohio
    3. The Special Election for Ohio's 11th Congressional District
    4. The November 2021 General Election for Local Races throughout Ohio
    5. Serve as an Election Day Poll Worker in the May Primary, the Special Election, or the General Election
    6. Join the CSU LWV Student Organization
    7. Serve as an America Reads Tutor or Viking Corps Student Worker

    Get a Free Bike or E-Scooter Ride to the Polls CSU Vikes!

    In 2016, transportation problems were cited as the reason that 4.5 million Americans did not vote. Transportation issues should never interfere with a person’s ability to exercise their right to vote! The OCE wants to ensure that every voter, especially students, has the opportunity to participate in this election. Thanks to our partners, we can now help eliminate this obstacle.

    The CSU Office of Civic Engagement and the CSU Office of Sustainability are proud to partner with Bird and North American Bikeshare Association’s (NABSA) Roll to the Polls initiative to get out the vote by helping registered voters make their voices heard in 2020 through free bike and e-scooter rides to the polls. 

    The OCE is excited to get this offer and information out to the Cleveland State University campus community. Our Office recommends that it you do require transportation to your polling place this year to visit: https://www.bird.co/blog/bird-nabsa-roll-to-the-polls-2020-election/ to get your ride set up. Simply enter code, VOTE2020, on Election Day to receive a free Bird ride up to 30 minutes on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The discount code is valid for US riders only. 


    Recommended Non-Partisan Resources on Candidates, Elections, and Voting 

    1. Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page 
    Ballotpedia is a non-partisan database with information on elections, candidates, and voting. Candidate’s biographies, positions held, and issue stances are all included in this database. 

    2. The Ohio Secretary of State’s Website: https://www.sos.state.oh.us 
    The Ohio Secretary of State is the chief election official for the State of Ohio. This website contains election day information, resources to register to vote or update your registration online, and forms for absentee ballot requests. This website is an excellent resource for Ohio residents. 

    3. The League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org 
    The League of Women Voters is a resource for men and women to obtain non-partisan information and resources about: registering to vote, finding your polling place, information about your ballot, and current issue information.

    4. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections: https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/ 
    A great non-partisan local election resources for residents of Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio. 

    5. The Federal Election Commission: https://www.fec.gov 
    A non-partisan national resource for campaign finance information, election law, and important election related dates, and deadlines.

    6. VOTE411: www.VOTE411.org  
    A non-partisan online voter guide that includes information on candidates and issues, both local and national.

    7. VoteRiders: www.VoteRiders.org
    A non-profit organization that can assist with questions related to what is considered an acceptable form of ID to cast a ballot in not only an Ohio election but any other state. 

    8. Vote.org: https://www.vote.org/
    Vote.org is a national non-partisan resource for those seeking information on election day information, resources to register to vote or update your registration online, and forms for absentee ballot requests. This is an excellent resource for those who reside outside of Ohio. 


    The OCE Wants CSU Students to Make a Plan to Vote

    After reviewing the information and resources above, you are now ready to Make a Plan to Vote! Review the steps below to know what to expect when you cast your ballot in this year's May Primary Election or this year's November General Election. 

    May 2021 Primary Election 

    1. Decide if you want to vote by mail or vote in person. Remember, if you choose to vote by mail, the deadline to request a mail in ballot is Saturday, May 1st, at 12:00 p.m. If you plan to vote in person, make sure you locate your polling precinct (resources listed above, included in the Recommended Non-Partisan Resources on Candidates, Elections, and Voting section, will help you find your polling precinct).

    2. Make sure to have the proper materials handy for voting by mail or for in person voting. 

    a. For voting by mail, you  will need your Ohio Driver’s License, State ID, OR your social security number.  Make sure to have the proper postage to mail your ballot back to your local  board of elections. All mail in ballots must be postmarked in Ohio by May 3rd,  2021.

    b. If you plan to vote in person, make sure to bring an approved ID (www.VoteRiders.org provides a list of approved IDs), as well as a face mask and hand sanitizer. Plan to possibly have a wait in line to cast your ballot in person. Give yourself an hour window, at minimum, to ensure you have plenty of time. Polling places in Ohio will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., May 4th, 2021. If you are in line to vote by 7:30 p.m., you CANNOT be turned away from your polling place. 

    November 2021 General Election 

    1. Decide if you want to vote by mail or vote in person. Remember, if you choose to vote by mail, the deadline to request a mail in ballot is Saturday October 30th at 12:00 p.m. If you plan to vote in person, make sure you locate your polling precinct (resources listed above will help you find your polling precinct).

    2. Make sure to have the proper materials handy for voting by mail or for in person voting. 

    a. For voting by mail, you will need your Ohio Driver’s License, State ID, OR your social security number. Make sure to have the proper postage to mail your ballot back to your local board of elections. All mail in ballots must be postmarked in Ohio by November 1st, 2021. 

    b. If you plan to vote in-person, make sure to bring an approved ID (www.VoteRiders.org provides a list of approved IDs), as well as a face mask and hand sanitizer. Plan to possibly have a wait in line to cast your ballot in person.  Give yourself an hour window, at minimum, to ensure you have plenty of time. Polling places in Ohio will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on November 2nd, 2021. If you are in line to vote by 7:30 p.m., you CANNOT be turned away from your polling place. 

    Reminders for Both the May Primary and the November General Election 

    When the time comes to cast your ballot, make sure you are aware of the proper procedure to do so. If you are voting by mail, use blue or black ink to fill out your ballot and make sure to follow the enclosed instructions carefully to ensure you complete all required steps. If you are voting in person, be prepared to vote via paper ballot or electronic voting machine. Poll workers will be available to assist you if you have any questions at your in-person polling location. 

    For more information about the OCE at CSU, please contact Anita Ruf-Young, Program Coordinator and Director, at a.rufyoung@csuohio.edu. View our Recent News, follow us on Twitter (@CSUcivic)Instagram (csucivicengagement), or Facebook (Office of Civic Engagement at Cleveland State University).


    Office of Civic Engagement Partners

    OCE partners with numerous local, state, and national non-partisan voter and civic engagement organizations so that we can engage and connect CSU students to information and opportunities in these areas. 

    All In Campus Democracy ChallengeBird​​​​​​​Campus Election Engagement Project 
    Campus Vote ProjectCleveland Public Library
     Davis Aerospace and Maritme League of Women Voters​​​​​​​
    ​​​​​​​National Voter Registration Day ​​​​​​​Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates