CLEVELAND — It's here. Election Day 2021. Everything from mayoral positions to levies to school board issues are up for grabs.
The polls opened at 6:30 a.m. and closed at 7:30 p.m. CLICK HERE for election results, which we'll post as they come in.
RELATED: Core issues expected to drive voters to polls in Cleveland's mayoral race
Justin Bibb is the next mayor of Cleveland.
After opponent Kevin Kelley conceded, Justin Bibb, who held a commanding lead in the race throughout the night, announced to supporters that would become the next mayor of Cleveland.
"I want to say something real quick. Don't tell me that young people can't roll up their sleeves and make change in this city," Bibb said.
Watch Bibb's speech below:
Kelley concedes in mayoral race
Kevin Kelley, who trailed Justin Bibb in the race for Cleveland mayor throughout the night, officially conceded the race to Bibb.
“To Mayor Elect Justin Bibb, let’s make the city great together.” - Kelley, toasting, to end his concession speech. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/T2KVbNmaWB
— Jessi Schultz (@JessiSchultzTV) November 3, 2021
Yes on Issue 24 has clear majority Tuesday night
With 94% of the vote in Tuesday night, a majority of Clevelanders has voted in favor of the Safer Cleveland Ballot Initiative (Issue 24) that seeks additional oversight of the police department.
RELATED: Yes on Issue 24, which would provide community police oversight, has clear majority of vote
Shontel Brown wins 11th District Congressional Seat
Democrat Shontel Brown won the Cleveland-area U.S. House seat formerly held by Biden Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge in Tuesday’s special election.
Brown answered questions on Tuesday night and will head to Washington tomorrow. Watch below.
RELATED: Democrat Brown wins Cleveland-area House seat
Justin Bibb ahead for Cleveland Mayor in early results
With just under 20,000 votes counted so far, Justin Bibb holds a commanding lead over fellow Democrat Kevin Kelley in the Cleveland Mayoral Election. Bibb has 62% of the vote to Kelley's 37%.
These results are mirrored in the vote so far for Issue 24, with 60% supporting the issue, as Bibb does, and 39% joining Kelley is saying no to the amendment. The Cleveland Charter Amendment would set up a Community Policing Commission made up of 13 civilians who would have the final decision-making power on discipline in police misconduct cases.
Update on early results
With the polls closed and results beginning to roll in, News 5's John Kosich provided a live election update at around 8 p.m. Watch it below:
Polls are now closed
Polls in Ohio closed at 7:30 p.m.
Track unofficial election results live as they come in here.
Voter turnout as of 5:20 p.m.
With just a little over two hours left until the polls closed, voter turnout for the entire city of Cleveland is at 19% - around 18% for east-side wards, 21% for west-side wards, and far-west-side ward 17 leading the pack with a 36% voter turnout.
Your 5:20 pm turnout update 19% in Cleveland as a whole 18% east 21% west with the 17th on the far west side leading the way with 36% pic.twitter.com/RZ5uSc9h7X
— John Kosich (@KosichJohn) November 2, 2021
Free rides to the polls
If you’re in need of a way to get to the polls and make sure your voice is heard on Election Day, there are some free ride options available to voters in Northeast Ohio.
If you live in Lake County, you can hop on one of Laketran’s local routes or schedule a door-to-door dial-a-ride to your polling location.
All you have to do is let the bus driver know when you get on that you’re voting, or just voted and your trip will be free.
To schedule a dial-a-ride reservation, you’ll have to call Laketran’s customer service line at 440-354-6100.
Akron METRO RTA is also offering up free rides to the polls. You can find your poll location here and then plan your trip on Google Transit.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Votes and Aware Rideshare2Vote are teaming up to provide a lift for Cuyahoga County voters to the Board of Elections.
Residents will be provided with voter education resources during the rides. The rideshare program is meant to bridge the gap of transportation inequality in Cleveland.
All eligible voters who live anywhere in Cleveland will be able to request a ride. The group is also recruiting volunteers to work as drivers.
If you need to request a ride to the polls, or if you are interested in volunteering you can call 1-(888)-858-3421 or email ride@vote.org.
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Here's a look at what's happening across some of the larger counties in Northeast Ohio.
Cuyahoga County
There's a ton of races in Cuyahoga County. Foremost among those is Cleveland, which will select a new mayor today. New leadership is here, and it's the first time in more than 15 years since Frank Jackson will not hold office in the city.
RELATED: Baldwin Wallace survey shows Clevelanders favor Justin Bibb over Kevin Kelley
Voters in Cleveland will also determine if Issue 24 passes or fails. It seeks to reorganize the Office of Professional Standards and add more civilian oversight to the police department.
Other mayoral races include Brook Park and Cleveland Heights and a slew of council seats across the area.
Lake County
Voters in Wickliffe will select a new mayor, while residents in school districts across the county vie for board seats. Several cities have police and fire levies on the ballot.
Lorain County
It's all about city councils in Lorain County. Mutliple towns and cities have numerous races on the ballot for city leadership. From Amherst to Avon to Elyria, Lorain and North Ridgeville and others—voters will determine who they want to lead their cities.
Vermilion will select a new mayor and school boards will choose new representation.
Medina County
In Medina County, voters will primarily pick new township trustees for the smaller communities in the area and council members for the larger cities.
Multiple police departments have issues on the ballot for funding, and voters will determine if some cities get additional funding for roads and bridges.
Portage County
Numerous board of education seats are open across school districts in Portage County. Voters will also determine funding for various school districts as well as police and fire issues in places like Brimfield and Deerfield townships.
Stark County
Residents in North Canton will select a new mayor, while smaller townships such as Lawrence, Jackson, Nimishillen and more will select new leadership by voting on trustee members.
There are a slew of fire and police issues on the ballot, as well as school funding issues.
Summit County
Cuyahoga Falls will select council members for eight wards, while voters in New Franklin will choose a new mayor.
Other races include council members for the larger cities and township trustees for the smaller areas. Board of education spots are open across the county and voters will also decide if schools, fire and police departments get funding.
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