There are two ways to early vote. One is absentee voting, which is the same as mail-in voting, and the other is in-person early voting at the Clermont County Board of Elections which starts October 6. The schedule is below.
Absentee Ballot Application
There has been some confusion about absentee voting, which is another name for mail-in voting. Please be aware there are many well-meaning groups working hard to get out the vote for the general election November 3. Some are mailing partially filled out absentee applications to voters. If you receive one of these, be sure to check the information that is already filled out and make sure it’s correct. If not, contact the Clermont County Board of Elections at 513-732-7275. If the information is correct, fill in the rest and mail it to the BOE early.
Some groups are planning to physically deliver applications in their neighborhoods and pick them back up to deliver to the BOE. This is legal for the APPLICATION only. Just remember the Ohio Secretary Of State will be sending out applications late August as well. You don’t have to wait for someone to mail you an application. You can download and mail in your application now. Absentee Ballot Application
Whatever method you choose, fill out only ONE application. Do NOT fill out multiple applications and remit them to the BOE. Make sure your ballot application is returned to the BOE as early as possible. Voters can track whether the BOE has received their application on clermont-voterview.boe.ohio.gov.
Vote Your Ballot
Absentee ballots will be mailed out sometime after Labor Day. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out (be sure to vote all the way down the ballot) and send your completed ballot in early, no later than October 19 (two weeks before the election). Check whether the BOE got it at clermont-voterview.boe.ohio.gov.
Ohio Revised Code Section 3509.05(A) says that only the voter or certain family members may deliver the voter’s ballot to the BOE. Friends and neighbors are not allowed to take the ballot to the BOE. You are not allowed to gather ballots in a neighborhood and take them to the BOE. If someone other than the people listed in Section 3509.05(A) delivers the ballot to the BOE, that may lead to the ballot being disqualified and not counted.
Make a Voting Plan
We have three months to get out the vote! Below is your voting timeline with links to check your registration and early in-person schedule for the Clermont County Board of Elections. Make a voting plan. Register five friends to vote. This truly is the most important election of our lives.
Aug. 24 – Write-in candidates must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (72 days before general election) R.C. 3513.041 Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate
*Note* We have Democratic candidates for Clermont County Clerk of Courts, County Commissioner (one slot still open) and Ohio House District 65. We are looking for write-in candidates for County Commissioner (1-3), Ohio House District 66, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate/Juvenile Division) (requires law degree), Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, County Recorder, County Treasurer, County Engineer, Coroner. Let’s make Clermont County Republicans work for their votes! Please consider running as a write-in candidate.
Early, in-person voting is open the following days and times at the Clermont County Board of Elections office at: 76 S. Riverside Drive, Batavia, Ohio 45103
Tuesday, October 6 – Friday, October 9 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday, October 12 – Friday, October 16 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, October 24 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, October 25 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 31 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 1 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Monday, November 2 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Oct. 05 – Deadline for voter registration for the Nov. 3, 2020 general election (30 days before general election)
Confirm your voter registration.
Fill out a paper registration form and file it.
Oct. 6 – Early in-person voting begins.
Nov. 03 – Absentee ballots, returned in person or via a method other than U.S. Mail, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls Nov. 3 – Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than Nov. 2 and received by boards of elections by Nov. 13 to be counted (10 days after general election). To be sure your ballot is postmarked with the correct date, It is recommended that you ask the mail clerk to hand cancel your mail-in ballot with the date you take it to the post office.
A Precinct Election Official (PEO) is a properly registered voter in the County where they live who helps to ensure that all elections are conducted in a fair and honest and transparent manner in an effort to help safeguard the integrity of the election process. You can earn up to $185 for serving as a PEO.
The U.S. has seen a significant and alarming drop in folks willing to serve as poll workers this year–due to the fact that most poll workers are over the age of 65 and are more vulnerable to COVID-19. To give you an idea of how serious this concern is: about 25% of our nation’s poll workers were over the age of 70 in 2018, and more than 50% were over the age of 65 in 2018.
To find out how to become a PEO call or email Stephanie or Leann at the Clermont County Board of Elections. Please include name, phone number, party affiliation (if any), and availability in email.
Precinct Election Manager – Stephanie Hemmer-Haight (732-7489) email: shaight@vote.clermontcountyohio.gov
Precinct Election Manager – Leann Helton (732-7488) email: lhelton@vote.clermontcountyohio.gov
For more information about eligibility, duties and payment visit the Clermont County Board of Elections website here.
If you are not able to serve as a Precinct Election Official you can still help. The Ohio Democratic Party is working hard to assist various boards of elections ahead of election day. As we’ve seen in primary elections over the past couple months, poll workers are essential to election day operations––without poll workers, polling locations will shut down and people will get turned away. Join the Ohio Democratic Party’s Voter Protection team in their efforts to recruit poll workers over the next several weeks.
They will send you a link to the phone bank with the phone numbers, a script and further instructions. All you need to make calls is a phone, computer or tablet, and access to the internet. You can sign up to phone bank here.
Word From The Chair of the Clermont County Democratic Party
Raymond Lembke
Just when you think Republicans can’t get any crazier on Covid 19, they do. Republicans in the Ohio Senate have introduced a bill that would empower local health districts to opt out of directives from the State Health Director. An explicit purpose of the bill is to undercut the current statewide directive that people wear masks when indoors in public places by allowing local health officials to rescind that directive within their district. READ MORE.
WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS
CLICK ON THE HEADLINE TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
COMMISSIONERS PLACE EXISTING LEVIES FOR RENEWAL WITHOUT INCREASES ON FALL BALLOT
The Board of County Commissioners today passed resolutions to proceed on the Nov. 3 ballot with renewal levies that support services for abused and neglected children, people suffering from mental health and addiction problems, and senior citizens. All three levies are five-year renewals, not increases. READ MORE.
CLERMONT COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICIALS GEAR UP FOR NOV. 3 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AMID COVID19
Voter turnout for the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election on Nov. 3 – less than 100 days away – is expected to be historically high, all while the communicable COVID-19 virus is continuing to spread throughout the country. With less than 100 days to go, state and local elections officials are beginning to solidify their policies for this year’s vote. READ MORE.
OHIO DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT ON DONALD TRUMP THREATENING SOCIAL SECURITY
Nearly 85 years after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, Donald Trump is jeopardizing the Medicare and Social Security trust funds with a desperate stunt that won’t boost the economy, won’t help workers or small businesses and could hurt seniors. READ MORE.
STATE OPENS GRANT PROGRAM FOR STUDENT BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY
The state is granting $50 million in federal funds to school districts that need help providing Internet access to students. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) announced that the state has lifted its requirement for schools to match 50% of the funds, citing that it was a challenge for schools in-need to find the resources to make the match. READ MORE.
GROUPS OPPOSING “STAND YOUR GROUND” GUN BILL FEAR IT MIGHT PASS DURING UPCOMING LAME DUCK SESSION
A coalition of eight groups advocating for more gun control is starting an online petition campaign to stop efforts to pass the “Stand Your Ground” bill under consideration in the Ohio Legislature. READ MORE.
OUR 2020 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Top of the list is Joe Biden for President of the United States.
We don’t have to tell you how important this election is. It is literally a matter of life or death.
Jaime Castle is running for Congresswoman in Ohio District 2. Jaime will give us fair representation in Washington D.C. and work for the people not dark money.
Ryan Ottney is running for Senator in Ohio Senate District 14 and Alan Darnowsky is running for Representative in Ohio House District 65.
They will give us balanced representation in the Ohio General Assembly.
Two years ago we put two Democratic judges on the Ohio Supreme Court. This year we need to elect John O’Donnell and Jennifer Brunner to the Ohio Supreme Court
to gain a Democratic majority. Think gerrymandering.
Closer to home, we have Acacia Uible running for Clermont County Clerk of Courts and Jeff Richards running for Clermont County Commissioner.
We need to get these two elected to break the GOP monopoly in Clermont County government. Learn their names. Remember their names. Make sure your friends and family know their names. Let’s do a 2020 Blue Wave in Clermont County!
OUR 2020 CANDIDATES NEED YOUR SUPPORT !
Click on the icons below their names and donate, volunteer or visit their website. Find them on social media and engage. Thank you for your support!
| JOE BIDEN PRESIDENT OF THE US   |
| JAIME CASTLE OHIO DISTRICT 2 |
| JENNIFER BRUNNER OHIO SUPREME COURT  | JOHN O’DONNELL OHIO SUPREME COURT |
| RYAN OTTNEY OHIO SENATE DISTRICT 14 | ALAN DARNOWSKY STATE REP DISTRICT 65 |
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| JEFF RICHARDS CLERMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONER | ACACIA UIBLE CLERMONT COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS |
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JOIN TODAY!
Clermont County Democratic Party’s major fundraising initiative is the Donkey Club. It costs approximately $10,000 per year to keep our Batavia headquarters operating. Membership in the Donkey Club helps us pay the bills and maintain the Democratic Party in Clermont County. Due to the restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic we have had to cancel several of our major fundraisers so we are heavily dependent on individual donations. Please consider joining the Donkey Club today. Thanks for your support!
Diamond: $1,000
Gold: $500
Silver: $250
Family: $100
Couple: $60
Dime A Day: $36.50
Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly contribution we appreciate your support. You may join online by clicking the Donation button below or by mailing a check made out to CCDP PO Box 475, Batavia, Ohio 45103
DemCast is a political digital curator consisting of grassroots activists all over the country. They have launched an exciting initiative called FOCUS 14 targeting 14 key swing states.
Here’s their statement on the project and how you can get involved: “We’re excited to announce that our new Focus14 Adopt-a-State Program has already garnered nearly 2 billion social media impressions in 2.5 weeks, and we’re just getting warmed up! Our state teams are engaging heavily on social media, spreading the good word about candidates and causes.
Join our DemCast Focus14 State Captains Debra Messing (Michigan), Chelsea Handler (Maine), Alyssa Milano (Georgia), Fred Guttenberg (Florida), Ken Olin (Colorado), Piper Perabo (Texas) & Kristen Johnston (Wisconsin) – among others – as we aim to flip states blue this cycle!
The program is simple: Adopt one of the Focus14 swing states, and they’ll give you the tools to make a big difference in 2020:
Curated Content to Share on Social Media
Team Zoom Calls
Training on Effective Digital Advocacy
Direct Contact with Candidates and Grassroots Leaders
Opportunities to Attend Events that Fit Your Schedule
COVID19 IN OHIO
SENATE REPUBLICANS INTRODUCE ANOTHER BILL TO LIMIT HEALTH ORDERS DURING PANDEMIC
Two state Senate Republicans introduced legislation Tuesday that would allow local health districts to opt out of orders issued by the state health director. Senate Bill 348 is the latest piece of legislation introduced to limit the state health department’s ability to issue orders and defang its power to enforce them in the midst of a pandemic that has killed more than 3,600 Ohioans. READ MORE
DEWINE TESTS POSITIVE, AND THEN NEGATIVE, FOR CORONAVIRUS
After earlier testing positive for coronavirus, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office Thursday night said he had tested negative for the novel coronavirus. DeWine, 73, received a routine test that morning before meeting President Donald Trump in Northern Ohio. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted tested negative, DeWine said, and accompanied Trump on a tour of a Cleveland-area Whirlpool plant. READ MORE
For more information about the numbers in Ohio, what precautions you need to take and where you can find resources for testing, mental health assistance and employment visit the Ohio Department of Health Coronavirus Portal
Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Right now a lot of upcoming meetings are cancelled due to the concerns about COVID19. Remember this is temporary. We will get through this! Click on the name of each club and it will take you to their website or Facebook page with updated information about meetings. Some groups are conducting virtual meetings while others are looking to outside locations.
| Quin-T Democrat Club | Loveland Action Team (LAT) | |
| West Clermont Democrats | Clermont County Young Democrats | |
| The Goshen Democratic Club | Drinking Liberally |
The Clermont County Democratic Party typically meets the fourth Thursday. Due to COVID19 we conducted our last meeting virtually through Zoom. We are figuring this out as we go and will keep you posted. For updated information please visit our website at clermontdems.org.
Next Central Committee meeting is scheduled for August 18 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom with Judge Jennifer Brunner 2020 candidate for Ohio Supreme Court. For more information contact the Central Committee chair, Patty Lawrence at p.lawrence@fuse.net
HEADQUARTER OFFICE HOURS
Monday 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Biden yards signs, with wickets, are at CCDP headquarters in Batavia. Although not required, we encourage anyone who wants a sign to make a small donation of $ 3.00. CCDP headquarters is located at 174 E. Main Street, Batavia, OH, 45103
STAY CONNECTED
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM – VISIT OUR WEBSITE
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Like, share, comment and retweet our posts. Use the hashtags #OHDems #ClermontOHDems
Next issue will be published Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, August 21, 2020. Send your submission to: clermontdems@clermontdems.org
Share the newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter at clermontdems.org
Clermont County Democratic Party
174 E. Main Street P.O. Box 475
Batavia, OH, 45103
513-732-2378
Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Judith Miller, Treasurer