CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Board of Elections data shows the county recorded the lowest voter turnout in a presidential election since 2008.
Unofficial turnout results show only about 64% of registered voters cast a ballot, barely topping the 60.5% recorded in 2008. This is way down from the 71% recorded in the 2020 general election.
A deeper dive into the data shows some Cleveland area precincts showed a massive drop in voter turnout from the 2016 to 2024 elections. Other areas including North Royalton, Brook Park, and Brecksville show a slight decrease in turnout.
Some of the lowest numbers recorded out of the 967 Cuyahoga County precincts falls in an area just southeast of downtown Cleveland. Only about 250 people voted out of the nearly 1,500 registered voters in two precincts in this area.
One southeast Cleveland precinct showed an almost 70% drop in voter participation from the 2016 election to the 2024 election, despite data showing more registered voters.
The highest voter turnout in Cuyahoga County in the 2020 general election was a precinct in Brecksville. About 90% of registered voters participated in the 2020 election, compared to about 81% taking part in the 2024 election.
Other Cleveland area precincts showed a significant decline in participation. By contrast, surrounding counties including Lake, Summit, and Lorain showed voter turnout remained nearly stagnant from the previous presidential elections. Data shows Lake County has recorded some of the highest voter participation in Northeast Ohio, at just over 77% in the 2024 general election.
One of the precincts that recorded the lowest voter turnout in Cuyahoga County for the 2024 general election falls in Ward 5, represented by Councilman Richard Starr.
"It's disheartening to see the low voter turnout in Cleveland City Ward 5, but it's understandable given the circumstances many residents face," Starr said in a statement
According to Starr, nearly 80% of Ward 5 residents live below the federal poverty line, making it hard for many to focus on political engagement.
"It's not a matter of voter registration in Cleveland; it’s about finding ways to inspire people to vote," he added.