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Opponents of Cleveland's red-light camera program rallied at the corner of Harvard Avenue and Lee Road on the eve of the election that will determine the controversial program's future.

(Evan MacDonald/Northeast Ohio Media Group)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On the eve of the votes that will determine the future of red-light cameras in Cleveland, activists continued to rally against the controversial programs.

Approximately a dozen activists occupied the corner of Harvard Avenue and Lee Road in Cleveland on Monday, and a cacophony of car horns served as evidence that motorists are paying attention to the issue that will be decided in Tuesday's election.

A ballot measure, Issue 35, would ban the use of cameras "unless a law enforcement officer is present at the location of the device and personally issues a ticket to the alleged violator at the time and date of the violation."

A "yes" vote would support the restrictions. A "no" vote would keep the program unchanged.

Mayor Frank Jackson said last week that 80 percent of Cleveland's traffic enforcement cameras are in the city's highest crash intersections or thoroughfares. City officials say removing the cameras will affect motorist and pedestrian safety, and hiring officers to operate the cameras around the clock would cost $19 million.

Opponents of the cameras argue that they deprive those who receive tickets of due process because a city clerk, not a municipal court judge, hears appeals.

In February, the Eighth District Court of Appeals ruled that appeals should take place in municipal court, but the city of Cleveland appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court in April. The Ohio Supreme Court said in July that it would not issue a ruling until it decides a similar case out of Toledo.

Others argue the cameras are simply a way to generate revenue for the city.

Those opponents include the Camera Removal Team, the group of activists who organized Tuesday's rally outside the Lee Harvard Plaza. It was the group's fourth rally, organizers said.

Activists said many residents have been voicing their opposition to the cameras.

"This is a people's issue," said activist Alexander Erdey. "This is about taking money from the people.

Jason Sonenshein, who helped collect more than 13,000 signatures to get the issue on Tuesday's ballot, said many people he's spoken with oppose the cameras.

"I think there's a perception of unfairness," he said. "Most people were eager to sign the petition, and were very supportive."

Traffic cameras are on the ballot in Maple Heights, too, by order of the Ohio Supreme Court.

A group of Maple Heights citizens gathered on Warrensville Center Road Monday for its third and final protest of the speed enforcement cameras the city installed in July.

They were surprised when another group showed up with signs urging residents to vote to keep the cameras. Maple Heights Mayor Jeffrey Lansky and councilman Alex Adams were at Monday's rally to show their support for keeping the cameras.

Supporters of the camera ban have said they are upset with the fact that city council did not give citizens a chance to vote on them in the first place.

Some residents see the revenue generated from camera-issued citations as a way for the city – which has been in a state of fiscal watch since April – to get back on its feet.

"The city is in financial trouble," said 26-year-old Andrew Orszag of Maple Heights. "This is one way to correct that."

Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter Ryllie Danylko contributed to this story.