Cuyahoga County Issue 12 — County of Cuyahoga: Proposed Charter Amendment

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does
Shall Article II, Section 2.03 and Article VI, Section 6.04 of the Charter of the County of Cuyahoga be amended to require that County Council confirm the County Executive’s removal of members of boards, agencies, commissions and authorities as are or may hereafter be created by or pursuant to the Charter, as are provided by general law to be appointed by boards of county commissioners, and on special boards and commissions created by any agreement with another public agency or court order?
A YES vote means
County Council would have to confirm the County Executive's removal of members of boards, agencies, commissions and authorities covered by the charter, general law, or agreements with other public agencies or court orders.
A NO vote means
The County Executive's removal of these board and commission members would not require County Council confirmation under this change.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Under Section 2.03 of the Cuyahoga County Charter, the County Executive appoints, subject to Council confirmation, members of boards, agencies, commissions and authorities created by or under the Charter, and those that state law says county commissioners appoint.
  • The Executive can remove those members without Council approval. If Council does not act on an appointment within 60 days, it is deemed confirmed.
  • Section 6.04 gives the Executive, subject to Council confirmation, appointments to special boards and commissions that state law, an agreement with another public agency, or a court order assigns to county commissioners.

If it passes

  • The County Executive's removal of members of these boards, agencies, commissions and authorities would also need County Council confirmation.
  • The same would apply to members of special boards and commissions under Section 6.04.

Who would notice

Members of county boards and commissions, the County Executive and County Council. It does not change any tax.

How it got here

County Council placed it on the ballot by Resolution R2026-0170, sponsored by Councilmembers Simon and Sweeney and adopted by a unanimous roll-call vote on August 4, 2026.

Written by SpectrumVote from 4 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

This amendment was proposed by County Council through Resolution No. R2026-0170, sponsored by Councilmembers Simon and Sweeney, according to Council's minutes.

At the June 9, 2026 Committee of the Whole, Councilmember Simon presented the proposal to require Council to confirm the County Executive's removal of members of boards, agencies, commissions and authorities, according to the minutes.

Council adopted R2026-0170 by unanimous roll-call vote on August 4, 2026, according to the meeting minutes.

Put on the ballot by Cuyahoga County Council, unanimous roll-call vote, August 4, 2026 (Resolution No. R2026-0170).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 12 mean?
County Council would have to confirm the County Executive's removal of members of boards, agencies, commissions and authorities covered by the charter, general law, or agreements with other public agencies or court orders.
What does a NO vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 12 mean?
The County Executive's removal of these board and commission members would not require County Council confirmation under this change.
Does this change how members are appointed?
No. Appointments already need Council confirmation; this adds Council confirmation for removals.
Which boards are covered?
Boards, agencies, commissions and authorities created by or under the Charter, those state law says county commissioners appoint, and special boards and commissions created by an agreement with another public agency or a court order.
What vote does it need?
A simple majority of county voters.
How many votes does Cuyahoga County Issue 12 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Cuyahoga County Issue 12?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Cuyahoga County ballot.

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