Cuyahoga County Issue 49 — City of Lakewood: Proposed Charter Amendment

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Lakewood voters

What it does
Shall the Third Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended by adding new Section 7.2 (i) to require that, commencing with the Federal decennial census of 2030, the Planning Commission shall review and make, if necessary, appropriate redivisions of the City into four wards, which shall be as nearly equal in population as possible, and composed of contiguous and compact territory, bounded by natural boundaries or street lines; and that any changes made in ward boundaries shall become effective for the next regular municipal election?
A YES vote means
Starting with the 2030 census, Lakewood's Planning Commission would review and, if needed, redraw the city's four wards to be as equal in population as possible and compact, with changes taking effect at the next regular municipal election.
A NO vote means
The charter would not add this ward review by the Planning Commission.
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

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 49 mean?
Starting with the 2030 census, Lakewood's Planning Commission would review and, if needed, redraw the city's four wards to be as equal in population as possible and compact, with changes taking effect at the next regular municipal election.
What does a NO vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 49 mean?
The charter would not add this ward review by the Planning Commission.
How many votes does Cuyahoga County Issue 49 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 49?
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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