RR Dems News and Events - April 9, 2026

In this issue, we’re sharing some more useful info on the upcoming primaries, including a breakdown of the Secretary of State race.

Just a reminder, our next meeting is Tuesday, April 28!

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who renewed their membership this year! As a reminder, membership dues support all the Rocky River Dems activities including door hangers, signs, mailers and other “get out the vote” literature! If you haven’t done so already, click here to renew and thank you for your continued support.

Important Primary Election Information

Voting by Mail

If You (or Someone You Know) is Planning to Vote by Mail…

Plan ahead. Request your mail-in ballot early – you can request your ballot for the May 2026 PrimaryNOW. Then, mail your completed ballot at least one week prior to Election Day, May 5. After mailing, you can track your ballot. Sign up on the Board of Elections website.

Please note: A postmark is now basically irrelevant: your mail-in ballot must arrive at the Board of Elections by Election Day or it will not be counted. Mail early or use the Board of Elections Drop Box (see info below).

If you still want to ensure that your return ballot envelope receives a postmark with a date aligning with the date you mailed it, you can bring your ballot mail to the retail counter at a Postal Service retail location and request a manual postmark, which will be applied free of charge upon accepting custody of the mailpiece.

Also note: The Postal Service offers Certified Mail or Registered Mail service at its Post Office retail counters for purchase. If you purchase these services, you will get a receipt that includes tracking information.

Find U.S. Postal Service information about election mail here.

Find Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Vote-by-Mail information (including tracking your ballot) here.

Breaking Down the Primaries

Continuing Series on the Primaries – Secretary of State

The Ohio Secretary of State serves as Ohio’s chief elections official, overseeing how elections are conducted, setting voting rules, certifying results, and managing business filings and official state records. Because the office directly controls election administration, its decisions can shape everything from ballot access to how voting is carried out across the state.

The office has been held by Republicans since 2011, but there is no incumbent this year. With ongoing challenges around voting access and election security, this is an important opportunity for Democrats to win this seat.

The candidates on the primary ballot for this position are: