WHAT’S INSIDE

• CCDP Picnic In The Park Is This Saturday May 20
• Word From The Chair – Raymond Lembke
• What’s New From Clermont to Columbus and Beyond
• ODP Statement On 60% Threshold Constitutional Amendment
• Next Steps To Protect Ohio Citizens’ Rights To Ballot Initiatives
• Sign The Petition To Protect Reproductive Rights In Ohio
• Is Your Ohio General Assembly Working For You?
• Free Online Training
• Join The Donkey Club Today
• Clermont County Democratic Club Meetings
• Clermont County Democratic Party Committee Meetings
• Next Issue Publication Dates

CCDP Picnic In The Park- This Saturday!

The 2023 Donkey Dinner will be a picnic this year! Join us on the afternoon of Saturday, May 20, 2023 at American Legion Victor Stier Post 450, 450 Victor Stier Drive, Milford, Ohio 45150 on the banks of the Little Miami River in historic Old Milford. This fundraising event is family oriented so bring the kids! We need young blood in the party!

FOOD AND ACTIVITIES

The grill will be on with hamburgers and hotdogs, whichever you choose! Sides and drinks too.

Cake and Pie Auction

Are you a prolific baker? Connoisseur of delicious sweets? Whether you’re baking or bidding, our Cake and Pie Auction is right up your alley. Bring your specialty cake or pie to be auctioned off at the picnic. Delicacies that have brought in the highest bids in the past are New York Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake and Chocolate Guiness Cake with Irish Cream Icing. Bids for these scrumptious delights have gone into the hundreds to support our organization. So pull out your recipe box and bring it on!

There will be games and speakers, including Jill Schiller, Hamilton County Treasurer. Come enjoy the warmer weather, hear some future candidates and mingle with your fellow Clermont County Democrats. Hope to see you there!

TICKETS

$35 for adults
$10 for children 12 and under
You may purchase your tickets online and securely through ActBlue at this link: Purchase tickets online.

WORD FROM THE CHAIR– Raymond Lembke

The importance of defeating SJR 2 cannot be over-emphasized. Ohioans need an avenue to make needed changes in Ohio law that do not align with the far-right agenda. Ohio voters must vote and vote NO this August 8. Talk to your friends and family so they get out and vote NO. The Ohio Democratic Party and the Clermont County Democratic Party will be canvassing to bring out the NO vote. If you are willing to join that effort, call our headquarters at 513-732-2378 and leave us a message. We will call you back. VOTE NO IN AUGUST! CONTINUE READING

What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond

Click on the headline to access the full article

Ohio Voters Sue Over August Election on Resolution To Restrict Ballot Measures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, May 12, individual Ohio voters and One Person One Vote, a coalition representing Ohio voters, filed a complaint in the Ohio Supreme Court challenging recently passed Senate Joint Resolution 2, a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would increase the threshold to pass constitutional amendments from 50% to 60%. As laid out by the resolution, Ohio voters will vote on whether or not to adopt this higher threshold in a special election set for Aug. 8, 2023. CONTINUE READING

Additional reading on this very important issue: Supermajority amendment opponents sue, arguing ‘no legal basis’ for August election

Commentary: Ohioans, you have a voice — for now. Be sure to use it

So Ohio will have an election Aug. 8 to vote on a constitutional amendment to move the goalposts on citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. It would set a new standard for passing such amendments — they would have to pass by 60% instead of the 50%-plus-one that has been the standard in Ohio since 1912. In other words, 41% of the electorate could thwart the will of 59% of Ohio voters. CONTINUE READING

U.S. House GOP wants spending cuts — and also $10B in home-state earmarks

U.S. House Republicans have requested more than $10 billion in earmarks to be included in next year’s appropriations bills, despite demanding massive spending cuts as a contingent for raising the nation’s debt ceiling. CONTINUE READING

Ohio Democratic Party Statement on Passage of GOP Legislation to Effectively End Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives

Columbus, OH, May 10, 2023 – Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters released the following statement after Republicans in the legislature passed a bill –

bankrolled by an out-of-state, out-of-touch billionaire– to effectively end citizen-led ballot initiatives in Ohio.

“Today, Ohio Republicans sold out our Constitution to corrupt politicians and out-of-state billionaires. Despite opposition to this bill from Ohioans across the political spectrum, Republicans chose to pass it anyway, giving the middle finger to voters across our state. But make no mistake: the fight isn’t over. We’re ready to mobilize voters across the state to fight this Republican power grab and protect Ohioans’ fundamental rights at the ballot box.”

Next Steps

Vote NO Campaign Volunteer Leader Zoom Training

Time
Friday, May 19
12pm EDT
+ 3 more days
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

Make no mistake: A 60% vote threshold to pass citizen-led constitutional amendments is an existential threat to many progressive causes we hold dear in the state of Ohio. However, we needn’t despair: If we undertake a robust canvassing operation and knock 500,000 doors in the next few months, we can turn out our Democratic base and WIN.

Volunteer leaders will be tasked with hosting canvasses twice a week that other volunteers can attend. This training will thoroughly prepare and equip you with everything you need to be a effective volunteer leader. We’ll also get you queued into our support systems: The ODP organizing staff is here to help you every step of the way and to make sure you have everything you need to be an effective leader throughout the rest of this Vote NO Campaign. REGISTER HERE

Vote NO Campaign Virtual Phonebank and Training

Time
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:30 – 7:30pm EDT
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

Join the Ohio Democratic Party as we fight tooth and nail to ensure that the 60% threshold to pass a citizen-led constitutional amendment never, ever becomes Ohio law.

Never made political calls before? No worries, you’re in good hands! At the outset of a phonebank, we’ll thoroughly train you on how to make phone calls. Then, we’ll pivot right into making some calls to voters! After you attend a training and the phone bank afterwards, you’ll be equipped to make calls anytime that works for your schedule in the future. REGISTER HERE

Protect Reproductive Rights In Ohio

The Clermont County Democratic Party has launched a petition signing initiative to amend the Ohio Constitution to codify reproductive rights in Ohio.

The Republicans have successfully framed the abortion issue as solely a birth control issue. But any woman who has suffered a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or a myriad of other complications associated with pregnancy would disagree with that assertion.

Whether you believe in abortion, or not, we all have a right to bodily autonomy without politicians dictating our medical decisions or forcing government mandated pregnancies and births.

Patty Lawrence and Democracy In Action are taking the lead on the petition drive. If you have questions you may contact them at info@democracyinactionohio.com

We can never have too many volunteers. There are many ways you can help circulate petitions. House parties, canvassing, talk to your neighbors. This is a non-partisan issue. Reproductive rights affect women on both sides of the aisle. Click here to access the volunteer form for this petition drive.

If you are not comfortable circulating petitions be sure to sign one. We must be sure every signature is valid. Here is a list of some tips when signing a petition.

How to sign so that your signature does not get rejected.

• Sign the petition for the county where you are a registered voter.
• If you are not a registered voter, you may register online or fill out a form from one of the volunteers on site. Go here to register online.
• DO NOT SIGN MULTIPLE PETITIONS. You may sign only one petition only one time.
• Use blue or black ink only.
• Print legibly except for your signature.
• SIGN your name how it looks on your voter registration.  Printed signatures will not be counted. Only you can sign your name.

Is Your Ohio General Assembly Working For You?

Unfortunately right now the Ohio General Assembly, also known as the state legislature, has been gerrymandered into a Republican Super Majority. But that does not render Ohio Democrats helpless. We are hearing from the Democrats serving in the Ohio House that Republicans in the Ohio House are not hearing from opponents to their policies. So the Republicans tell their colleagues no one is against them.

So here’s the deal, all reps are required to log every phone call and email from constituents. We need ALL good Democrats to call or email their state reps and senators every day or every week. Whether your issue is gun safety, reproductive rights, corruption in our government, voter suppression or public education, CALL YOUR REPS! Below is the contact information for Clermont County reps and senator.

Adam Bird State Rep Ohio District 63 (southern Clermont County)
Email: https://ohiohouse.gov/members/adam-c-bird/contact
(614) 644-6034
Twitter @AdamCBird

Jeanne Schmidt State Rep Ohio District 62 (northern Clermont County)
Email: https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/jean-schmidt/contact
(614) 466-8134

Terry Johnson State Senator Ohio District 14 (all of Clermont County)
Email: https://ohiosenate.gov/members/terry-johnson/contact
(614) 466-8082

Looking for an issue to call about? Read the article below. Republicans in Columbus are trying to take away the voice of the citizens in Ohio by raising the threshold to pass citizen initiatives to 60% instead of a simple majority of 50 plus one.

Amid mass bipartisan protest, Ohio Senate passes resolution to make it harder to amend constitution

Free Online Training

Say This, Not That- Control your Democratic narrative

Time
Thursday, June 1
Multiple dates available
8 – 9pm EDT
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

To win elections and support progressive issues Democrats need to communicate with the most effective messaging. Join us as we discuss how we can frame our issues and promote progressive values in a way voters will embrace. Each workshop will provide background information, provide examples of good and bad messaging and time to discuss messaging on current topic. Learn more here.

Civics 101- The basics they no longer teach in school

Time
Thurs., June 8, 2023
8 – 9pm EST
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

We cover topics from how a bill becomes a law to who your representatives are to when elections are held and so much more. LEARN MORE

Join The Donkey Club Today

It’s that time of year! We need your support. The Clermont County Democratic Party relies solely on donations from our friends to operate. Our Donkey Club is our major source of funding and we hope you will become a member today. Member benefits below.

• A headquarters located centrally in the county in Batavia
• A bi-monthly e-newsletter
• A robust Internet presence on our Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Support for our Democratic candidates

Click the Donate button below and make your donation securely online through ActBlue or mail a check. Make Checks payable to: Clermont County Democratic Party (CCDP), PO Box 475, Batavia, OH 45103

Thank you for your support! Raymond W. Lembke, Party Chairman Clermont County Democratic Party

Clermont County Democratic Club Meetings

Next meeting will be Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 7pm at CCDP Headquarters, 174 E. Main St., Batavia, Ohio.

West Clermont Democrats will meet Monday, June 12, 2023 at 7:00 pm at Day Heights Fireman’s Memorial Building 1313 OH-131, Day Heights, OH 45150

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB DIRECTORY

Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Click on the name of each club and it will take you to their website or Facebook page with updated information about meetings.

Clermont County Democratic Party Central Committee

Next Central Committee meeting will be Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Please contact Ben Indino, Central Committee Chair at: benjamin.indino@gmail.com or Amanda Fox, Central Committee Secretary at: alvfox33@gmail.com for more information.

Clermont County Democratic Party Executive Committee

Next Executive Committee meeting will be Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 7:00 pm

This will be a hybrid meeting with choice of in-person at headquarters, 174 E. Main Street, Batavia, Ohio 45103 and via Zoom. Central Committee members are encouraged to attend.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COMMITTEES

CCDP has four active committees. Each committee needs volunteers. Please consider getting involved. The strength of our party is our volunteers. You may contact the respective Chairs of each committee below by clicking on their name if you are interested in volunteering.

Finance Committee– Chair – Ben Brady

Events Committee – Chair – Katherine Lent

Communications Committee – Chair – Michelle DeTemple
The Communications Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm via Zoom.

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICERS

Benjamin Indino – Central Committee Chair
Tracy Jo Small – Central Committee Vice Chair
Amanda Fox – Central Committee Secretary

Raymond Lembke – Executive Committee Chair
Elaine Barnett – Executive Committee Vice Chair
Chris Barnett – Treasurer
Bonnie Carlier – Executive Committee Secretary

STAY CONNECTED

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM – VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Like, share, comment and retweet our posts. Use the hashtags #OHDems #ClermontOHDems

This is your newsletter. We welcome you to submit news items, events, book reviews or anything else you feel is important to advance our Democratic values in Clermont County. If you have critiques about content or format please feel free to voice your opinion.

Next issue will be published Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, May 26, 2023. Send your submission with “CCDP Newsletter” in the subject line to our newsletter editor Cheryl Richards at: cheryl1richards@gmail.com

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
clermontdems@gmail.com
Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Christopher Barnett, Treasurer