Dr. Mark Salling from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs published a report concerning how to ensure a strong voter turnout among young and old voters in Cuyahoga County amidst the fall 2020 election and the COVID-19.​​​​​​​

In his report, Dr. Salling shares that while a statewide analysis would be more definitive, data from Cuyahoga County suggests that efforts to promote voting by mail could possibly help establish high rates of voter turn-out among both young and old voters, while also reducing the risks to health from COVID-19.

The “Focus on Facts” report explained that voting by mail has been a well-established practice in the State of Ohio for many years, before the onset of the COVID-19. In Cuyahoga County's Fall 2016 election, more than 193,000 voters chose the vote by mail option.

The report includes figures and graphics that examine comparisons and contrasts between age groups and their choices to vote in person or by mail during the 2016 election. Historically, younger voters have much lower voter turn-out rates than those older. Concerns about COVID-19 risks could further reduce their participation rates.

Read the report here.