OUR RESEARCH - Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates

NOVA Turnout Analysis Summary 2018 (October, 2019)
Summary Report on NOVA voter results in the 2018 Cuyahoga County General Election. (October 2, 2019)

NOVA Turnout Analysis Report 2018 (September, 2019)
Full Report on NOVA voter results in the 2018 Cuyahoga County General Election. Including: Voter turnout (registration vs. vote-by-mail) and demographic differences; improving quality control; vote-at-jail; and outcome of GOTV effort. (September 10, 2019)

NOVA Turnout Analysis Summary 2017 (April 2018)
Summary Report on NOVA results in the 2017 Cuyahoga County General Election. Effect of vote-by-mail on the turnout of low income and student voters, new findings on flawed registrations, and other studies of voting in populations served by NOVA.(March 12, 2018)

NOVA Turnout Analysis Report 2017 (March 2018)
Full Report on NOVA results in the 2017 Cuyahoga County General Election. Effect of vote-by-mail on turnout of low income and student voters, new findings on flawed registrations, and other studies of voting in populations served by NOVA. (For 3-page Summary Report, see below) (March 12, 2018)

Some highlights: Encouraging the use of vote-by-mail led to increased turnout in many low income and in Cleveland State student populations, whereas mailings to voters did not. Between 13 and 21% of voters in these populations had flawed registrations or were not registered at all. Extrapolation to similar groups countywide led us to estimate that at least 40,000 voters share this predicament and need special attention.

Lessons Learned From NOVA Volunteer Efforts to Improve Voter Registration, Vote by Mail and Turnout in 2016 (July 5, 2017)
At selected locations, NOVA volunteers increased turnout of youth and older citizen low-income voters, as well as of students at Cleveland State University (tentative data), by promoting voter registration and especially vote-by-mail, which we now recommend as an important option, especially for women (who used it preferentially). Combined registration and vote-by-mail at the Cuyahoga County jail also increased turnout.

New Research from Cuyahoga County: Providing Vote-By-Mail Increased Turnout of Low-Income Voters in 2015 by about 25% (Aug. 8, 2016)
Adding vote-by-mail encouragement and assistance in filing applications to voter registration campaigns could yield 20,000-40,000 additional votes from low-income people in Cuyahoga County in 2016 by increasing turnout. Vote-by-mail was greatly underutilized by this population in 2012.

Analysis Of Nova Voter Registration/Outreach Results On Voting In Nov 2014 (Feb. 15, 2015)

Improving Registration and Voting in Ohio’s Low-Income Populations (May 30, 2014)
Problems that reduce voting in low-income populations of Ohio, and practical suggestions to overcome them. Impact: Several of the report’s suggestions now being considered by Cuyahoga County. Others still need advocacy.

Ohio’s Rejection of Provisional Ballots in the 2012 vs 2008 General Election
Shows why Ohio rejects so many provisional ballots because of two main reasons (“not registered” and “wrong polling place”) and what can be done about it. Impact: Suggestions for advocacy.

Analysis of Early In-Person and Mail-In Absentee Voting in the Ohio 2012 General Election v. 2008 (Feb. 2013)
Demonstrated cross-state popularity of early in-person voting, as well as numbers that voted early in-person in last 3 days before election day 2012. Showed waiting times for in-person voters on last weekend were much longer in larger urban counties of Ohio. Impact: Used in debate on preserving early in-person voting hours and in advocacy for expanded early in-person voting sites in large counties.

Does Ohio Have "Fair" and Sensible Rules for Early In-Person (EIP) Voting? (Sept. 27, 2012)

Elimination of the Last 3 Days of Early In-Person Voting in 2012 Could Affect about 97, 000 Voters Statewide (Sept. 27, 2012)

Do White, African American, and Hispanic/Latino EIP Voters Differ from Election Day and Vote by Mail Voters in Income? (Aug. 27, 2012)
Showed 97,000 Ohioans took advantage of last 3 days of in-person voting. Points out lack of proportion in establishing useful vs. “wasteful” early in-person voting hours. Impact: Widely cited in media, used in arguments against legislation and directives curtailing these days. Also considered by Ohio Elections Association.

Racial and Ethnic Proportions of Early In-Person Voters in Cuyahoga County, General Election 2008, and Implications for 2012 (July 2012)

Estimating Number Of Voters Without State ID (May 24, 2011)
Showed that some 940,000 adult Ohioans lack a driver’s license, not the 170,000 claimed by those advocating that driver’s license or state ID be required to vote. Impact: Helped defeat attempts to pass legislation absolutely requiring a driver’s license or state ID in order to vote. Cited by Policy Matters Ohio paper on cost of voter ID laws.

Our Reports