Hundreds march to Board of Elections to cast ballots, protest dearth of early-voting locations
Power to the Polls march in Cleveland
Gallery: Power to the Polls march in Cleveland
By Evan MacDonald, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Several hundred voters marched to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Sunday to cast ballots and protest the limited number of in-house early voting locations in Ohio.
The marchers departed at 2:30 p.m. from the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and traveled a half-mile to the Board of Elections headquarters on Euclid Avenue.
Greater Cleveland Congregations and the Amalgamated Transit Union organized the event to encourage Cuyahoga County residents to vote early before the general election on Nov. 8.
But the march also highlighted the fact that ballots cast in person before the election must be filled out at the Board of Elections. The marchers feel the state should provide multiple locations for early voting, organizer Khalilah Worley said.
"The fact that the only place they can vote early is at the Board of Elections is a reflection on the priority the state gives this issue," Worley said.
U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, a Democrat representing a Northeast Ohio district that includes Cleveland and Akron, attended the gathering at Trinity Episcopal Church that preceded the march.
"I think it's always important to support any event that encourages people to be involved in their community," Fudge said. "I just wanted to come here and say thanks to everyone who participated."
Mayor Frank Jackson and others greeted the marchers and other voters arriving at the Board of Elections.
Early voting is available at the Board of Elections through Nov. 7. Hours can be found on the Board of Elections website.