Ward Redistricting Information

Cleveland City Council was required to reduce the number of wards due to population decline, as mandated by the City Charter. The newly drawn boundaries reduction ensures each ward has a roughly equal population while maintaining fair representation for residents.

The new 15-ward boundaries will take effect in January 2026, but residents will vote for representation in these wards this year. A primary election will be held on September 9, 2025, in any ward with more than two candidates, followed by the municipal general election on November 4, 2025. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has already updated polling locations to reflect the new ward boundaries.

Due to population decline, Cleveland City Council was required by the City Charter to reduce the number of wards. In redrawing the boundaries, Council consulted with residents, members, and hired expert advisors. The reduction ensures each ward has a roughly equal population while preserving fair representation across the city.

Possibly. All Council seats will be up for election in the 2025 General Election. Some members have elected not to run for a new term, but a majority of the current Council members are running for reelection. Voters will decide. The primary election for the wards with more than two candidates running is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2025. The municipal general election is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025. You can check the new map to see if your ward assignment will change.

Put your address in the above Find My Ward box

In 1949 there were 33 wards. The number of wards stayed the same in 1963, but the ward boundaries changed. In 1986 the number of wards was 21. And in 1995 through 2008 there continued to be 21 wards but with different boundaries after each census. In 2010 there were 19 wards. Population declines from the 2010 Census led to the elimination of two wards, reducing Council to 17. New boundaries were approved in March 2013 and took effect in January 2014.

Cleveland ward demographics.