Shaker Heights, Ohio Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at olvr.ohiosos.gov up to 30 days before any election. The state requires either a valid Ohio driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Registration by mail or in person at the Board of Elections remains an option. Ohio permits same-day registration and voting during the early voting period, though first-time voters who registered by mail must show identification when casting their first ballot. Municipal elections take place in odd-numbered years in Shaker Heights. Council members serve staggered four-year terms. Details about local candidates, ballot issues, and campaign finance reports are available on the city website at shakeronline.com and through the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Voters can locate their assigned polling place using the locator tool at boe.cuyahogacounty.gov or by calling the Board of Elections directly. Assignments are based on residential address and precinct, with multiple precincts spread across the city's eight wards. Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3501 and 3503), voter registration lists qualify as public records available for inspection, though they contain protected personal information subject to use restrictions. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political action committees are publicly searchable through the Ohio Secretary of State's website. The Board of Elections publishes precinct-level election results after certification. Turnout in Shaker Heights typically exceeds the county average. Ohio does not have a U.S. Senate race in 2026, as both seats were most recently contested in 2024 and 2022. State legislative races for Ohio House of Representatives (all 99 seats, two-year terms) and approximately half of the Ohio Senate seats (four-year staggered terms) will be decided. County voters will elect various offices including County Executive, County Council members, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Prosecutor, and judges for Common Pleas Court, depending on term expirations. Local ballot issues may include school levies for Shaker Heights City School District and city charter amendments. Ohio offers no-excuse absentee voting by mail. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot application through the Board of Elections website, by mail, or in person. Applications must be received by the Saturday before Election Day (for mail ballots) or in person until the close of polls on Election Day. Completed ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day and received by the Board of Elections within 10 days after the election, or can be deposited in the ballot drop box at the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. On Election Day. In-person early voting begins 28 days before Election Day at the Board of Elections office and, closer to Election Day, at additional early voting locations throughout Cuyahoga County.