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Voting Rights

Story Archive - 2011

2011 events and elections, including the petition drives against SB 5 (worker's rights), HB 194 (voter suppression laws) and issues surrounding redistricting (HB 319).

Story Archive - 2012

Stories related to the 2012 Election and other 2012 issues.

2012 Events Archive

Events related to the 2012 Presidential primaries (Republican) and general election campaign (Romney vs. Obama), Congressional and Ohio races, and state and local issues such as Issue 2 (redistricting reform/gerrymandering prevention) and voter suppression in Ohio.

Voter Suppression is Alive and Well in Franklin County

The opposition is getting organized and ruthless in its attempt to suppress the vote in Franklin County. More than 23,000 people in Franklin County have voted early at the in-person Early Voting center in the first three weeks of October. This number surpasses 2008 figures despite the fact that we have had far less voting hours. On Monday and Tuesday alone, over 5,000 people voted early at the Early Voting center on Morse Road and it appears that 8 out of every 10 voters were Democrats. Naturally this has the Republicans worried and they are pulling out the stops to suppress this early vote.

For example, on Monday of this week two huge Romney vans with negative signs set up camp in the middle of the early vote parking lot, taking up parking spots from early voters and creating a negative atmosphere with their divisive signs. This morning Fox News from Chicago arrived to film and presumably create chaos.  In addition, three huge signs were planted along Morse Road today that say "Abortion is Baby Murder" and "Stop Sodom and Gay Mora [sic] Marriage."  The Northland Alliance was called to remove them and they did, but the signs are now being held by Romney volunteers. Be sure to read: "Illegal Campaigning by Romney Supporters Prompts Response by Sheriff at Franklin County Polling Location"

Why is this happening?  Because Republicans want to decrease turnout by changing the perception that voting is easy or a pleasant experience.  They want to increase their early vote turnout. They want to create an incident that either gets volunteers banned from distributing sample ballots or results in a negative story that suppresses the vote. We cannot let this happen.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE VOTE EARLY! Our presence at the Early Voting location will help support and reassure other voters who may be fearful or reluctant to even enter the building. We can help these people exercise their right by simply being there, voting and being friendly to all we encounter. Additionally, voting early means you free up space in line on Election Day.

Please look for a blue-shirted volunteer from the Franklin County Democratic Party who is handing out sample ballots. They have been there every hour of every day to talk with voters about the importance of voting for down ticket candidates to give President Obama the support he needs at the local level.

Columbus is considered by many as "ground zero" in determining this presidential election. We may very well be the deciding factor in reelecting our President or handing it over to Romney and his minions. Can you live with yourself if Romney wins?

Click here for directions to the Early Voting Center

Early Voting Hours:

Monday, October 22 - Friday, October 26
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Monday, October 29 - Thursday, November 1
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 2
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 3
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 4
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday, November 5
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 

 

Should Ohio voters approve State Issue 2?

Yes: Plan would help make drawing of legislative districts more fair

By  Jack D’Aurora

Columbus Dispatch, October 15, 2012

Issue 2 is taking a lot of heat. It calls for replacing the apportionment board — the governor, state auditor, secretary of state and two members of the legislature — with a nonpartisan commission to draw state legislative and congressional districts. Is Issue 2 as bad as the critics say?

The commission would consist of 12 members and be re-established after each federal 10-year census. Anyone who, within 10 years of applying to be a member, served as a federal or state official, or was an employee of the Ohio legislature or U.S. Congress, or was a state agency director or paid lobbyist, is ineligible. The same goes for anyone who, within five years of applying, was a political candidate, campaign consultant, political party employee or made more than $5,000 in political contributions in a two year period.

Read more at the Columbus Dispatch.

 

Confused about voting this year? Don't worry -- we have the answers!

Need more information about early voting on Morse Road?  Have questions about helping someone register to vote?  Or what do you do if you haven't received your ballot request application from the Board of Elections? Complete and concise, "Early Voting Information" from the Franklin County Democratic Party will answer those questions and more!

Download the info here: Early Voting Information.pdf

 

In-Precinct Poll Observers Are Needed

With the 2012 General Election less than 60 days away, your help is needed now more than ever. Across the state we have seen Republicans using every voter suppression tactic they can muster -- firing two Montgomery County Board of Elections members who stood up for weekend early voting, challenging hundreds of voters' registrations,  and worst of all, standing with Secretary of State Husted to limit in-person early voting.

2012 Redistricting Petition Drive

If you care about fair and balanced elections, you need to care about the citizen-initiated Redistricting Movement and support it with your time and money. The obscene gerrymandering that has gone on for far too many years has resulted in district geographies that defy sensible representation -- a situation that must stop now.

Issue 2

Steps to fairer districts:

1. Get enough petition signatures to place an issue on the November 6, 2012 ballot. DONE!

2. Learn more by reading our FAQ on redistricting and gerrymandering and visiting Voters First Ohio.

3. Educate voters about ISSUE 2 and encourage them to vote YES. Hint: We need money and bodies to spread the word! See the ad!

4. VOTE YES on ISSUE 2!

Sadly, this issue failed on November 6th. We are now stuck with badly gerrymandered districts until the next Census. Or until we can convince our fellow Ohioans to embrace progressive ideas.

Ending Gerrymandering in Ohio -- Next UAPA Meeting August 21

Come learn more about the amendment intended to end gerrymandering, and what it means for the voters of Ohio at our next monthly membership meeting on Tuesday, August 21 as we welcome Dick Gunther of Voters' First. We'll be meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington.

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