For the first time since 2006, when Frank Jackson was sworn into office 16 years ago, Cleveland is going to have a new mayor. As it overcomes a pandemic, ushers in new development and faces record crime numbers, the city has quite possibly never seen a mayoral election this important and notable in its history. The candidates are representative of a larger cultural discussion in our city. Kevin Kelley is the experienced city council president who represents the status quo to many — though he would certainly argue against that sentiment. At just 34-years-old, five years older than Kelley when he started his political career, Justin Bibb represents jarring change and a new way of doing things — though detractors claim he's inexperienced, having never held elected office. On Nov. 2, Cleveland voters will choose the future they want to see, and we'll be there to watch what happens. Follow along below.
Live Updates:
9:37 p.m. Definitely feels like the anxiety has picked up at the Kelley watch party, which is understandable considering the way the results are breaking. Bibb holds a 3nearly 9,000 vote lead with 20% of the votes coming in. It's not over yet, but that's a large lead to overcome. - Palattella
8:37 p.m.Kevin Kelley has arrived at The Harp. He entered to a chorus of cheers. "Eat, drink and be merry until we get some more numbers," he quipped upon arrival. In a quick interview with WKYC, he said he wasn't worried about the early results. - Palattella
8:05 p.m.Some notable guests at Kelley's watch party include Cuyahoga Executive County Armond Budish, Cleveland City Council member (and former mayoral candidate) Basheer Jones, Cordell Stokes and state senator Kenny Yuko. - Palattella
8:00 p.m. Spirits are high at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, where the Justin Bibb campaign is watching election results roll in. That's no surprise as early results show Bibb with a 62.8% lead. Notables in the crowd include councilman Zack Reed, entrepreneur/activist Julian Khan. The campaign's major media players, including Ideastrean's Nick Castele and WKYC's Mark Naymik are hunkered down. Supporters, who are enjoying music from R&B and soul band Hubb's Groove and food from Tommy's Pizza and Subs, are all but expecting a Bibb win at this point. - Stewart
7:58 p.m. As I expounded on Twitter, I love the start of watch parties. Everyone's anxious and just wants the results but can't get them, so they instead just kind of hang around in this fog of tension. Democracy at work. - Palattella
7:41 p.m. Just arrived at The Harp for Kevin Kelley's watch party. The crowd has grown exponentially over the past 15 minutes, with everyone greeting each other with hugs and pleasantries. At 7:30 p.m., someone announced the polls had officially closed, which generated some cheers and claps. There's a podium set up in the middle of the room for Kelley to speak at. Chances are we won't hear from Kelley until much later in the night. For now, the party rages on. - Palattella
6:00 p.m. With an hour and a half of voting left, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is reporting that 21% of eligible voters have cast ballots. Election day voting has surpassed absentee voting with 34,151 voting today and 18,060 mail-ins. Despite poor turnout, the Bibb and Kelley campaigns each kick off parties soon. Bibb's party starts at 7:30 p.m. at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church on Quincy Avenue, while Kelley's soiree kicks off at 8 p.m. at The Harp on Detroit Avenue. Which one will be a celebration remains to be seen. -Stewart
1:12 p.m. So far, 16.25% of the 877,661 eligible voters have cast the 142,604 ballots received by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. In Cleveland, 14% — or 34,573 — have voted. -Stewart
10:30 a.m. Why vote — especially in a non-presidential election year? In 2020, Pew Research published a report that found United States voters trailed most developing countries in voter turnout. In 2020, 53% of Clevelanders — or 133,183 people — and 66.4% of Cuyahoga County voters voted in-person or with absentee ballots. A year prior, a non-presidential or mayoral race, that number dropped to 26% of eligible voters in Cuyahoga County. So, we wanted to find out why the few who did make it out found voting so important. Here's what voters of all stripes had to say:
"I think voters should vote so we can get the right people into office and get our issues addressed," says Rashoan Ingram.
"It was this election and Issue 24. I'm a retired policeman so that issue meant a lot," says Bill McNae.
"You gotta vote because if you don't vote that means you don't got no say so in what goes on in Cleveland," says Maurice Carlsby.
"I'm one of those people. I don't think I had voted in a primary before this one, but I felt it was important to get out this time. I just am happy to have the freedom to vote and come out and make my voice heard," says Molly Wells.
"Our voice always needs to be heard. Especially as a taxpaying citizen, we want to make sure we get what's in our best interest," says Jessica Haynes.
Hear more from Cleveland voters in this video interview from a few polling locations.
-Dillon Stewart
9:55 a.m. What a difference a year makes. At this time last year, most area polling locations had lines wrapped around the building filled with people waiting to vote. The start of this year's election is much more muted, which is to be expected. When I went out this morning to see what was happening at area polling locations, it was a much sleepier vibe compared to last year's election. It'll be interesting to see how that sleepy vibe impacts the polling numbers. According to numbers tweeted out by Ideastream's Nick Castele, 18,060 people had voted at 7:22 a.m. Voter turnout will be something to watch all day. -Henry Palattella
Here's a look at the total ballots cast in Cleveland as of 7:22 this morning. Includes absentees. The comparison in the percentage column is to the total number of votes cast in the 2021 primary and 2017 general. (Percentage OF, not percent increase.) pic.twitter.com/3LU2nbvNgd
— Nick Castele (@NickCastele) November 2, 2021
6:30 a.m. Polls are now open in Ohio. Remember, they close at 7:30 p.m., but you can still vote as long as you're in line by then. Happy voting, Cleveland!
6 a.m. As of 2 p.m. yesterday, mail-in voting is closed. So far, 18,000 absentee ballots have been cast. Follow these Cuyahoga County Board of Election for live voter turnout statistics by precinct and by city. They're unofficial, but updated every 60 seconds.
Where To Vote In Cleveland:
If you're not sure where to vote, visit this Cuyahoga County Board of Elections page to find your polling location.
Who To Follow On Election Day:
Cleveland Magazine
@ClevelandMag
Cameron Fields, General Assignment Reporter, cleveland.com
@CameronFields_
Nick Castele, Reporter, Ideastream
@NickCastele
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
@cuyahogaboe
What To Listen To Ahead Of Election Night:
If you're looking for the easiest distillation of the candidates' positions and everything you need to know about the Cleveland mayoral election in 2021, we suggest tuning
in to the After Jackson: Cleveland's Next Mayor
podcast fromIdeastream's Nick Castele. The foremost reporter on the beat, Castele takes you along on the campaign trail over 15, easy-to-understand episodes.
What To Read Ahead Of Election Night:
The Race Is On For Cleveland's Mayor Seat (May 2021)
After
16 years in the hands of Frank Jackson, the Cleveland mayorship is up for grabs. With Justin Bibb, Kevin Kelley, Zack Reed and others stepping up to the plate, could this year's candidates usher in a new model of power? Read More >>
We Endorse Justin Bibb for Mayor of Cleveland (Via Cleveland.com)
The editorial board
from Cleveland's newspaper cited the 34-year-old's forward-thinking nature as the reason for its endorsement. The paper re-endorsed him a few months later. Read More >>
A Closer Look at Kevin Kelley: How a Poor Kid from West Park Became One of Cleveland's Most Powerful Politicians (via Cleveland.com)
Behind Kelley's rise from 29-year-old upstart politician to City Council President. Read More >>
Cleveland Mayoral Candidate Justin Bibb's Resume Full of Big Job Titles and Frequent Job Changes (via WKYC)
Mark
Naymik interviews Bibb on the topic and more. Read More >>
Cleveland Police Reform Proposal Known as Issue 24 Still Fueling Debate (via Cleveland.com)
Issue
24 would put the final decision on police policies and the discipline of officers in the hands of a civilian-led board and commission. Read More >>
Who's Voting Early in Tuesday's General Election? (Via Cleveland.com)
More than 6,000 people had voted
as of Monday Morning. Read More >>
How Should We Police Cleveland?
As cries for police reform grow louder amid a rise in violent crime, we're left wondering what the future looks like for policing our city. Read More >>
Who Will Save The West Side Market? (April 2019)
The
107-year-old West Side Market faces a record number of vacancies and struggles to find its place in our modern landscape. Will Mayor Jackson turn over control to a nonprofit organization or make it a priority to save one of Cleveland's crown jewels?
Read More >>
The Crisis At The Cuyahoga County Jail, Explained (September 2019)
Nine
inmates have died at the jail since last June. How did it happen? And where do we go from here? Read More >>
Inside Cleveland Public Power's Struggles
How
disadvantaged customers are paying high prices and experiencing shut-offs. Read More >>
Community Issues Have Become Afterthoughts In Local Elections. Could 2021 Change That?
Northeast
Ohio's 11th and 16th congressional districts are the poster children for gerrymandering. This fall's round of House redistricting could tamper down on hyper-partisanship. Read More >>
A Cleveland Poll Worker Shares Why Voting Is So Important
Lisa
Cech, the president of the League of Women Voters, gives us her take on the democratic process. Read More >>
The Populist (January 2006)
In this historic piece, Frank Jackson
says the test of his success as Cleveland's new mayor is whether his work helps "The Least of Us." It's the same test others face, if they want to earn the wary mayor's trust. Read more >>
Frank Jackson Is Back At Work (January 2018)
Interviewed
the day after his historic fourth-term win, the mayor talks Public Square, police relations and more. Read More >>