Cuyahoga County Department of Health and Human Services is committed to non-partisan civic engagement through various public forums and voter registration efforts.

National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 was enacted by the United State Congress in 1993, also known as the "motor voter law” became effective on January 1, 1995.  Its focused on four main purposes; to establish procedures that increase the number of citizens who register to vote; to encourage all level of governments to enhance participation in voting; to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure accurate and current registration rolls.   

The NVRA includes a requirement that states must integrate voter registration into customer - staff interactions at human services agencies.  This requirement expands voter registration services beyond motor vehicle offices which can disenfranchise against those individuals who are least likely to have a driver’s license.  

Any office or agency in the state that provides public assistance or provides state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities is mandated to implement the requirements of the NVRA.  The Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (CJFS), an agency of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services is required to offer voter registration services each time a customer is applying, recertifying for public benefits or reporting a change of address. 

CJFS’ plan follows the NVRA, Ohio voter access statutes, the Ohio Secretary of State, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services guidelines for providing the opportunity for customers to register to vote.  It ensures voter registration services are offered in its offices, via the Eligibility Contact Center and the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal.   

Your Voice Matters Youth Summit

Annually, Cuyahoga County hosts a youth summit for high school juniors and seniors called the “Your Voice Matters Youth Summit”. This non-partisan youth summit has been designed for high school students to be active voters, leaders, thinkers, and change agents in their schools and communities. Local leaders from the county, city, Tri-c, and other civic organizations share their experiences and emphasis how important it is for young people to become engaged on matters important to them and their communities. Based on student developed voter action plans, eligible students have an opportunity to be transported from their high schools to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections during the county’s early voting periods to become first time voters.

Naturalization Ceremony

In partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE), the Voting Rights Coordinator (VRC) attends Cleveland’s Naturalization Ceremonies held at the Carl B. Stokes U.S. Court House. The VRC and the BOE officials assists new citizens with becoming registered voters after they have been sworn in and have received their naturalization records. These ceremonies are usually held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month and each ceremony usually results in approximately 50 new registered voters.