Cuyahoga County Council Considers Returning Sheriff to Elected Position
Cuyahoga County Council is considering a proposal to make the county sheriff an elected position again, a change that would take effect in 2028. Currently, the sheriff is appointed by the County Executive. The proposal advanced out of committee with…
Cleveland Akron, OH, July 22, 2026 —
Cuyahoga County Council is weighing a significant change to how the county sheriff is selected, with a proposal aiming to make the position an elected one once again. If approved, this shift would take effect in 2028. Currently, the sheriff is appointed by the County Executive.
The proposal recently moved forward from a committee with a 7-4 vote. However, it faces opposition from County Executive Chris Ronayne. Ronayne has voiced concerns that the discussion around the sheriff’s position is diverting attention from more critical county matters.
Supporters of the initiative highlight what they describe as high turnover within the currently appointed sheriff’s office. They argue that returning the position to an elected status would enhance accountability to the voters. A key point raised by proponents is that Cuyahoga County is currently the only one of Ohio’s 87 counties where the sheriff is not elected.
Alongside the arguments for increased voter accountability and alignment with the rest of the state, some discussion has also touched upon potential concerns. Specifically, there are worries that an elected sheriff might lead to less diversity in the office compared to the current appointed system.
The proposal’s progression through the committee indicates a division in opinion among council members regarding the future of the sheriff’s selection process in Cuyahoga County.
Story summarized from the original created by Mark Oprea on www.clevescene.com, see more information here.
