Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Law Library Insights- Episode 1

Our podcast is LIVE! Please check out Law Library Insights to learn more about the upcoming Ohio election and Issue 1. Election day is Tuesday, November 8th.

Justice Melody Stewart to Cuyahoga County BOE

Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart is joining the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party’s executive committee selected Stewart over Christopher Nance to fill a vacancy. She will replace outgoing board member Inajo Davis Chappell, who did not seek reappointment. Stewart’s term will begin on March 5, pending final approval from Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

Read more about Justice Stewart's appointment at cleveland.com.

Happy Law Day Today, May 1, 2024

Happy Law Day!

Law Day is a yearly event sponsored by the American Bar Association, and this year’s theme is
“Voices of Democracy.” This theme “encourages Americans to participate in the 2024 elections
by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil
ways; turning out to vote; and, finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair
elections.” ABA

To celebrate Law Day this year, the Cleveland Law Library has partnered with the Cleveland Public Library to provide a free, educational program about voting rights today at Noon. If you have not already registered to attend in person or online, you can do so here.

Cleveland Law Library Celebrates Virtual Law Day

Today, is the American Bar Association’s Annual Law Day, and this year’s theme is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” It is a day to celebrate the right of all people to vote, but especially women, who were unable to vote until the 19^th Amendment was passed 100 years ago. This year’s theme was put to a considerable test in Ohio in early Spring when the Coronavirus pandemic jeopardized the rights of people who had planned to vote in person in the primary election on March 17^th before or after celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. It also tested the separation of powers doctrine when a Franklin County, Ohio Judge denied an order to delay the election, the Ohio Department of Health closed the polls due to public safety concerns, and the Ohio Supreme Court denied a candidate’s challenge to keep the polls open. Thankfully, Ohio decisions to keep poll workers and voters safe also preserved voting rights and Democracy through extended absentee voting.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assn. Launches Citizens Legal Academy: 1st Topic on September 12, 2012-Election Law

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association has launched a new program called the Citizens Legal Academy, and the first program-on election law-begins tomorrow, September 12th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. The list of speakers is impressive:

Jane Platten, who is the Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Jeff Hatings, Esq., who is the Chairman of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Sandy McNair, who is a member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Timothy F. Mellet, Deputy Chief, Department of Justice, Voting Rights Section

Jonathan L. Entin, David L. Brennan Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University

Judge John J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, moderator

This event is free and open to the public, but because seating is limited, registration is requested.

For those interested in attending, the CMBA's website provides more information about the program.

Ohio Secretary of State Creates Online Service so that Voters Can Update Their Addresses Easily

Thanks to the Ohio Secretary of State, Ohio voters now have an online tool to help them update their address for the purpose of voting in Ohio elections. The Secretary of State's new service is located at www.MyOhioVote.com. In commenting on this new service, the Secretary said:

“We are making it easier for Ohio voters to do their part in making Election Day run smoothly... This added convenience for voters is also a powerful tool against voter fraud as current and accurate voter rolls leave less room for abuse.” 

The new website is also a gateway to information on candidates, election officials, precincts, absentee voting, and voting initiatives.

109 Ohio Municipal Judge Seats Up in November

Of the 109 municipal judge seats up for election in November, 39 are contested, including 5 in Cuyahoga County. The Ohio Supreme Court reminds us that municipal court judges are elected for 6 years in odd-numbered years, while all other Ohio judges are elected in even-numbered years. The Ohio Supreme Court's press release contains a link to a list of all 109 seats and the associated candidates. Each County Board of Elections would also maintain this information.

50 Contested Judicial Seats Are on November's Ballot

According to the Ohio Supreme Court, there are 50 contested judicial seats up for election this November. That includes 2 of 3 supreme court seats, 12 of 27 appellate seats, 32 of 120 common pleas seats, and 2 county court positions. Click here for a searchable judicial and candidate voter guide from Ohio's Secretary of State. I ran a search for all races in Cuyahoga County, which you can review at this link.

Ohio Secretary of State's Office Now on YouTube

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Ohio Secretary of State's office has joined YouTube to post various videos with information about the SOS's office and elections. One of the videos covers new electronic poll books, and another discusses a recent conference for county elections officials.

Judge4Yourself.com Judicial Ratings Already Available for Cuyahoga County General Election Judicial Races

Judge4Yourself.com has already posted judicial ratings for judges who are running in Cuyahoga County's General election later this year for offices on the Common Pleas Court (General, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile divisions) and the Court of Appeals. The ratings also cover the Ohio Supreme Court. So far, the organizations which have compared the candidates and compiled the ratings were the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Norman S. Minor Bar Association, and the Ohio Women's Bar Association.

DOJ Threatening Cuyahoga County With Suit Over Bilingual Ballots

The Plain Dealer reports that the DOJ is threatening to sue the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections if it does not print bilingual ballots for everyone in the County to ensure that Puerto Rican voters can read the ballots and make informed choices when voting. The DOJ's apparent demand is based on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the BOE is considering the costs and other considerations involved in this request. The article highlights what the BOE has already done to reach out to Puerto Rican citizens for prior elections, including hiring Spanish-speaking poll workers and translators for about 35 precincts.