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Happy Primary Day – Go Vote! – 05/03/2022 – Volume 71

Home/Newsletter/Happy Primary Day – Go Vote! – 05/03/2022 – Volume 71
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Happy Primary Day – Go Vote! – 05/03/2022 – Volume 71

WHAT’S INSIDE

  • VOTE TODAY!
  • Democracy Is A Participatory Sport
  • Ohio Democratic Party
  • What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond
  • Word From The Chair
  • Stand With Ukraine
  • Reading Room
  • COVID19 In Ohio
  • Join The Donkey Club
  • Clermont County Democratic Club Directory
  • Next Issue Publication Dates

TODAY IS THE PRIMARY ELECTION – VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

The Ohio primary is TODAY, May 3, 2022. Democrat turnout so far is way below the Republicans. We need to vote in every election in numbers that show our power. We need to show up!

Be sure to check your registration here. The deadline to register for the May primary was April 4th. You may register online here for the general election in November.

Statewide Democratic Candidates on the May 3rd Ohio primary ballot

Please be sure to vote every candidate even if they do not have a challenger. Vote for ALL Supreme Court candidates. They will have GOP challengers in the general election.

Tim Ryan, U.S. Senate
Morgan Harper, U.S. Senate
Traci TJ Johnson, U.S. Senate

Alan Darnowsky, Representative to Congress 2nd District
Samantha Meadows, Representative to Congress 2nd District

Jennifer Brunner, Chief Justice of Supreme Court
Marilyn Zaya, Justice of Supreme Court
Terri Jamison, Justice of Supreme Court

Nan Whaley, Governor
John Cranley, Governor

Jeffrey Crossman, Attorney General
Chelsea Clark, Secretary of State
Marion Mayor – Scott Schertzer, Treasurer
Taylor Sappington, Auditor of State

Sometimes we get discouraged living in a very red county and forget that our democracy is under attack all across the country. Even all around the world. For that reason there are many Democratic activist groups who are laser focused on swing states, state races and even particular state offices across the country. Below you will find a few samplings. Pick a group and get involved. Democracy is a participatory sport.

Blue Ohio is a joint project between former Ohio Democratic party chair and author of Laboratories of Autocracy, David Pepper and the organization It Starts Today. The objective behind Blue Ohio is to fund every Democrat running for the state legislature. Think of us as crowdfunders – for Ohio’s Democratic nominees for state legislature.

It Starts Today was founded after the 2016 election by Jonathan Zucker, former COO and CEO of ActBlue. Convinced that the power of the Democrats’ grassroots community coupled with small-dollar recurring donations could change fundraising forever, he got to work creating groundbreaking national and state-based programs. Together, we’re going to change Ohio. LEARN MORE

Postcards to Voters are friendly, handwritten reminders from volunteers to targeted voters giving Democrats a winning edge in close, key races coast to coast.

How It Works

  1. Sign Up – We’ll send you an email with instructions.
  2. Become an Approved Writer – Write a practice postcard and email us a photo following instructions in the email.
  3. Approval– Approved -We’ll send you addresses and information on how to obtain additional addresses. Not Approved – You will receive an email detailing why and how to fix it.
  4. Request Addresses
  5. Keep up with Current Campaigns
    1. Facebook
    2. Twitter

FIELD TEAM 6

Field Team 6 is a national volunteer army with a simple mission: Register Democrats. Save the world.

STRATEGY – We meet people where they are – via phone, text, postcard, social media, and soon at in-person, Covid-safe voter drives! Armed with Voterizer.org, the only custom-built app just for registering Democrats, we track down every good-hearted eligible voter we can, and get them on the voter rolls where they belong. And sign them up to vote from home!

JOIN! We’ve helped register almost 1.7 million Democratic voters, the vast majority in swing states… and now we need to do it again. Sign up for an event today, and help save the world!

At a recent CCDP meeting the discussion turned to Democrat visibility in Clermont County. One member commented, “We have to go out and meet ’em eyeball to eyeball. Well here’s your opportunity.

RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom
4450 Eastgate South Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45245
Start: Monday, May 9, 2022 at 4:00 PM
End: Monday, May 9, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to network with Clermont County’s elected and business leaders at the Clermont Chamber’s Inaugural Legislative Reception. This is an ideal opportunity to meet and get to know your elected officials in a casual, social environment and to discuss the important issues facing your business or community group.
Elected Officials and Offices Attending
(list will be updated as officials/offices confirm attendance)

  • Senator Terry Johnson, Ohio State Senate
  • Representative Jean Schmidt, Ohio House of Representatives
  • Representative Adam Bird, Ohio House of Representatives
  • Clermont County Board of County Commissioners
  • Union Township Board of Trustees
  • Office of Senator Rob Portman
  • Office of Congressman Brad Wenstrup
  • Office of Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted
  • Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost
  • Office of Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber

REGISTER HERE
Please register by close of business on Friday, May 6th to ensure your spot!

ICYMI: Frank LaRose Is Still A Phony

Columbus, OH — In case you missed it, Frank LaRose is so desperate to lose a Senate race in 2024 that he will do anything to remain relevant in the radical Republican Party, while jeopardizing election integrity for all Ohioans. This morning, (Friday, April 29), the Columbus Dispatch is taking LaRose to task, showing his flip flops on everything ranging from Donald Trump to election security, once again proving that LaRose is only looking out for himself. READ MORE

WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS AND BEYOND

CLICK ON THE HEADLINE TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

OHIO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WILL TALK LEGISLATIVE MAPS MAY 4

The Ohio Redistricting Commission will reconvene next week for the first time since the state supreme court rejected their fourth attempt at legislative maps April 14. In a letter to his fellow ORC co-chair state Sen. Vernon Sykes, House Speaker Bob Cupp said it is “unwise” and “not feasible” for the commission to meet before May 4 because of activities around the May 3 primary. READ MORE

SENATE REPUBLICANS SEEK TO ELIMINATE OHIO’S INCOME TAX OVER 10 YEARS

Eight Senate Republicans introduced legislation last Tuesday seeking to zero out Ohio’s income tax by the year 2032. If passed, Ohio would become the 10th state nationally without an income tax, which was first levied in 1972. In fiscal year 2020, personal income taxes were the state’s No. 2 tax revenue source, driving in $8.3 billion, behind only the state sales and use tax ($10.9 billion). Personal income taxes drive about 28% of Ohio’s total collections, according to the state Department of Taxation. READ MORE

HOW OHIO VOTERS INFLUENCE THE AMOUNT OF TAX DOLLARS FLOWING TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY

When voters go to the polls to choose their state legislative representatives, they’re also indirectly determining state policy on how tax dollars are spent. Lawmakers in Columbus weigh how much of the money collected by the state should go directly to local governments. It’s a system that’s been in place since statewide taxing began with the state sales tax during the Great Depression. It then expanded in the 1970s when the statewide income tax was implemented. READ MORE

OPINION: A YOUNG DEMOCRAT’S VIRAL TAKEDOWN DEMANDS A ‘WOKENESS’ RETHINK

McMorrow, a Democratic state senator in Michigan, delivered an epic takedown of a GOP colleague on Tuesday that continues to go viral. It included forceful pushback against Republicans over laws stigmatizing gay and trans children and families, and a searing moral defense of treating them respectfully. READ MORE

Editor’s Note: Turn your sound on and be sure to listen to the video embedded in this article.

WORD FROM THE CHAIR – RAYMOND LEMBKEAs this is going out, it is Election Day for the first of Ohio’s two 2022 primary elections. A second primary to elect candidates in Clermont County for seats in the Ohio House of Representatives and the state party central committees will occur later in the year, probably early August. By tomorrow, we should know the identities of the parties’ candidates for the major statewide offices and the U.S. Congress.  READ MORE

PELOSI, IN SURPRISE KYIV TRIP, VOWS UNBENDING US SUPPORT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A top-level U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the “ferocity” and resolve of Ukrainians face to face with their leader in a weekend visit to Kyiv undertaken in extraordinary secrecy. READ MORE

HOW TO HELP PEOPLE IN UKRAINE RIGHT NOW

As the Russian military invasion of Ukraine has unfolded, so too has a full-blown humanitarian crisis. “Heavy weapons fire along the line of contact has already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities in recent days,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell. “Unless the fighting subsides, tens of thousands of families could be displaced, dramatically escalating humanitarian needs.” FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP

READING ROOM

American Rule: How a Nation Conquered the World but Failed Its People by Jared Yates Sexton

Recent years have brought a reckoning in America. As rampant political corruption, stark inequality, and violent bigotry have come to the fore, many have faced two vital questions: How did we get here? And how do we move forward?

An honest look at the past—and how it’s been covered up—is the only way to find the answers. Americans in power have abused and subjugated others since the nation’s very beginning, and myths of America’s unique goodness have both enabled that injustice and buried the truth for generations. READ MORE

COVID19 IN OHIO

Ohio reports 8,731 new COVID-19 cases; hospitalizations, deaths down as cases rise

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Apr 29, 2022 (WCMH) — The Ohio Department of Health on Thursday reported 8,731 new COVID-19 cases for the past week, an increase of nearly 2,000 over last week, as the state sees its fourth consecutive rise in infections. Ohio averaged about 1,247 new coronavirus cases over the past seven days, the highest rate since Feb. 25 Cases are up 27% over last week, 82% over two weeks ago and 181% over a month ago. READ MORE

TRACKING CORONAVIRUS IN OHIO

Sources: State and local health departments About this Data: New cases and deaths are matched to the date they occurred when possible. Otherwise, they are recorded on the date they are reported by health departments. The seven-day average is the mean number of new cases and deaths for the previous seven days.

You can find where to get vaccines and booster shots in Clermont County here.

Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests here.

For information for COVID19 testing in Ohio go here.
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  

JOIN THE DONKEY CLUB

Your Clermont County Democratic Party believes the economy should work for everyone, diversity is a strength, health care is a right, facts and truth matter, fair and effective government is fundamental, and justice is for ALL. We strive to cultivate and elect public servants who reflect these beliefs. There are two ways you can impact Clermont County Democratic Party with donations: (1) Monthly contributions help us manage our yearly expenses. (2) Annual donations in any amount are welcome. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly contribution we appreciate your support. Join online by clicking the Donation button below or join by mailing a check made out to CCDP PO Box 475, Batavia, Ohio 45103

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB DIRECTORY

Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Due to the concerns about COVID19 it is a challenge to schedule in-person meetings. 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 ClubDemocracy In Action
West Clermont DemocratsClermont County Young Democrats
The Goshen Democratic ClubDrinking Liberally

Clermont County Democratic Party Central Committee

Please contact Patty Lawrence, Central Committee Chair at: p.lawrence@fuse.net for more information.

Clermont County Democratic Party Executive Committee
Due to the Memorial Day holiday there will be no May meeting.

STAY CONNECTED

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

Clermont County Democratic Party Facebook PageClermont County Democratic Party Twitter pageClermont County Democratic Party Instagram AccountClermont County Democratic Party 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.

Next issue will be published Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, May 13, 2022. 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
Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Judith Miller, Treasurer

By cheryl|2022-05-17T14:57:58-04:00May 17th, 2022|Newsletter|Comments Off on Happy Primary Day – Go Vote! – 05/03/2022 – Volume 71

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Word From The Chair

  • August Special Election GOP Power Grab – 05-31-2023

    Vote NO in August  After the Republicans in Columbus outlawed August special elections in House Bill 458 earlier this year, they have now decreed that we will have a statewide special election on August 8, 2023. Conducting this election will cost over $20 million taxpayer dollars. Why is this so urgently important?  Because this move will effectively eliminate a right Ohio citizens have held for over 100 years, the right for Ohio citizens to petition ballot initiatives to amend the Ohio Constitution. In August, we will be voting on what has now been designated State Issue 1, formerly known as Senate Joint Resolution 2, which would amend the Ohio Constitution to make it almost impossible for Ohioans to amend the Ohio Constitution. The Current Process For Citizens Initiatives Currently the Ohio Constitution may be amended by Ohio citizens directly without going through the General Assembly. This process requires petitions to be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State to put a proposed amendment on the ballot.  Those petitions must contain signatures of registered Ohio voters equal to ten percent of the number of people who voted in the last election for Ohio governor.  In addition, there must be signatures by registered voters in at least 44 Ohio counties equal in number to five percent of the number of people in each county who voted in the last election for Ohio governor.  If petitions with sufficient signatures are filed, the proposed amendment is put on an election ballot. The amendment becomes effective if 50% plus one of the people voting in that election vote in favor.  Issue 1, if passed, changes this dramatically. The Republican’s Proposed Changes Issue 1 changes the requirements for the number of petition signatures necessary to get a proposed amendment on the ballot.  Issue 1 would require signatures by registered voters in each of Ohio’s 88 counties equal in number to five percent of the registered voters in that county. To show how big a change that is, the difference in Clermont County is that five percent of the number of people in Clermont who voted in the 2022 election is 4,022. Five percent of all current registered voters in the County is 7,191. If all the required petition signatures are obtained, the amendment will still go on an election ballot.  However, the amendment will not become effective unless it receives votes in favor by at least 60% of the people voting in that election. What’s Wrong With Issue 1? A lot of things. Among others, it enshrines minority rule. A proposed amendment could receive petition signatures from 90% of the voters in Ohio. However, if only 4.9% of the voters in just one county sign the petition, the amendment would not go on the ballot. If the amendment reaches the ballot, it could receive yes votes from 59.99 percent of voters. In that case, the amendment would fail. By requiring so many more signatures to get an amendment on the ballot and a super-majority to pass the amendment, Issue 1 would assure that grassroots efforts to amend our state constitution are doomed to failure. Only special interests with millions of dollars to spend on gathering signatures and then persuading voters will have any chance of getting amendments passed. Our state constitution will become the private property of the rich, like the Illinois billionaire who has already put at least a million dollars into supporting Issue 1. Who Supports Issue 1? Most prominently, the Republicans who run Ohio government. They support it, in part, because they fear that a majority of Ohioans will vote for the Right to Reproductive Freedom amendment that will probably be on the ballot in November.  More fundamentally, the Republicans are still smarting from last year’s Supreme Court rulings that their General Assembly and Congressional districts violate the Ohio Constitution. The parts of the state constitution that those districts violate were added to the Ohio Constitution a few years ago by citizen initiated constitutional amendments. A federal court required us to vote last year using these illegal districts. However, Republicans fear new constitutional amendments that could prevent them from getting away with gerrymandering in the future. Fair districts in Ohio would eliminate, at least, the Republican super majorities in the General Assembly. Republicans see Issue 1 as a way to protect themselves from fair districts. There is another reason Republicans called a special August election for Issue 1. Nothing else will be on the August 8 ballot.  Most voters are much more interested in candidates, people, than ballot issues.  With local offices on the ballot this November, many Ohioans will come out to vote then to support candidates and incumbents whom they know personally.  Although a ballot issue does not bring those voters out to vote, they may well vote on the issue while they are voting.  Republicans do not want that.  Republicans do not want Issue 1 on the ballot anything else which might bring people to the polls.  For Republicans, having Issue 1 on the ballot in an election in which few people vote is certainly worth the millions of tax dollars the August 8 special election will cost. Republicans were not, however, confident that putting Issue 1 on the ballot by itself in an August special election was sufficiently stacking the deck. They went farther when the three Republicans on the State Ballot Board approved the language which will appear on the ballot about Issue 1. The heading, which will appear on the ballot in all capital letters, bold print, and larger font, says “ELEVATING THE STANDARDS TO QUALIFY FOR AND PASS ANY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.” Who could be against “elevating standards?” Nowhere does the approved ballot language say what the current standards are, or that any standards currently exist. Nowhere does the approved ballot language inform voters that voting for Issue 1 means that you want to make it much more difficult to amend the Ohio Constitution. The Republican majority on the Ballot Board does not want the voters […]

    […]
  • No More Minority Rule – 05-16-2023

    Amending the Ohio Constitution II  Republicans control all three branches of Ohio government. They have been using that control to pursue an ever-more far right, pro-gun, anti-women, anti-education agenda. The only effective avenue Ohioans have had to modify Ohio law in favor of Ohioans has been through citizen-initiated state constitutional amendments. This is a right Ohioans have had since 1912. We saw it used in the two anti-gerrymandering amendments which a substantial majority of Ohio voters supported just a few years ago. We are seeing that process working again as petitions are being signed all over Ohio to put the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment on the ballot this November. Polling shows that approximately 59% of Ohioans support the amendment. The Republicans in the General Assembly intend to effectively end the right of Ohioans to make laws that the Republicans do not want. In the closing hours of May 10, the last day to do it, the Ohio House, in a party-line vote, passed Senate Joint Resolution 2 and created a special election on August 8, 2023 for Ohio voters to approve or reject SJR 2. The details of SJR 2 SJR 2 changes the requirements for putting a citizen-initiated amendment on the ballot.  Not satisfied raising that hurdle, SJR 2 also increases the vote necessary to enact any citizen-initiated amendments which reach the ballot. SJR 2 makes no changes to the process for placing amendments proposed by the General Assembly on the ballot or to the vote required to enact such amendments. Under the law that has been in effect since 1912, to place a citizen-initiated amendment on the ballot requires petition signatures from registered Ohio voters equal to ten percent of the vote cast in the last Governor’s election. Current law also requires that those petitions include signatures from registered voters in at least 44 counties equal to five percent of the vote cast in that county in the last Governor’s election. SJR 2 would change the second part of the petition signature requirement to require signatures from five percent of the registered voters in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.  If 87 counties submit double the required five percent but one county submits only 4.9%, a proposed amendment cannot go on the ballot. SJR 2 would double the number of petition signatures required in Clermont County.  If a citizen-initiated amendment manages to reach the ballot, it would not pass under SJR 2 unless it receives at least 60% yes votes. Current law requires only 50% plus one vote. Under SJR 2, fifty percent plus one yes votes would still pass a constitutional amendment proposed by the General Assembly.  No petitions are required for amendments proposed by the Republican dominated General Assembly to be put on the ballot. Special interest groups claim they are protecting the Ohio Constitution from…special interests Some Republicans have tried to justify SJR 2 as protecting the Ohio constitution from amendments sought only by special interests. This is a hypocritical argument since the effort to pass SJR 2 is being heavily funded by a right-wing billionaire in Illinois. Business groups are lining up behind SJR 2 to thwart a proposed amendment expected in 2024 to raise Ohio’s minimum wage. The August special election on SJR 2 is being justified as necessary to impose the 60% requirement for the Right to Reproductive Freedom amendment, expected to be on the ballot this November. In Republican eyes, Ohio women and workers are “special interests” but abortion opponents and big business are not.  SJR 2 would not change any rules for amendments initiated by the General Assembly.  As was amply demonstrated by the Larry Householder/First Energy bailout scandal, the General Assembly is much more receptive to the wants of special interests than Ohio voters. The “tyranny of the majority” Republican Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman recently tried to justify SJR 2 as a means to prevent the “tyranny of the majority.”  This should be understood as what it is: an admission that much of the Ohio Republican agenda is not acceptable to the majority of Ohioans. The Republican solution is to impose minority rule. Low voter turnout for special elections Ohioans will get the opportunity to vote on SJR 2 on August 8, 2023.  After outlawing August special elections earlier this year, Republicans created an August special election just for SJR 2.  Why?  Because people do not vote in August elections.  While statewide August elections are rare, we had one in 2022.  Only eight percent of Ohio’s registered voters voted.  For Republicans, putting SJR 2 before the voters in a low-turnout election more than justifies the over $ 20 million in tax dollars which will be spent to hold this statewide election. Ironically but intentionally, SJR 2 will pass if it receives 50% plus one yes votes at in the August 8 special election. Republicans created an August special election just for SJR 2 on the assumption that few Ohioans will vote in August, allowing a small minority of Ohio voters to pass SJR 2 and prevent the majority from amending our state constitution going forward. We must prove that assumption wrong. Ohioans registered to vote by July 10 are eligible to vote on SJR 2. If you are not registered, do it NOW. If you are registered, check your registration record to make sure it is up to date.  You can register to vote and check your registration record at the Ohio Secretary of State website: ohiosos.gov/elections/.       Early voting on SJR 2 starts in July – VOTE NO! Early voting on SJR 2 should start on July 11. Vote early.  If you vote by mail, you can apply for an absentee ballot now.  Remember that the Republican General Assembly changed the rules this year on what identification you need to show to be allowed to vote. You need a government-issued photo ID, but not all count. The primary forms of acceptable ID are a valid Ohio driver’s license, a valid state-issued ID card, and a valid US […]

    […]
  • Ohio Citizens Rights In Jeopardy – 05-02-2023

    Amending the Ohio Constitution  Republicans hold super-majorities in both houses of the Ohio General Assembly. Republicans hold all statewide elected executive offices (Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor). Republicans hold a majority of seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Currently Ohio citizens who do not agree with the governing elite’s right-wing agenda can put provisions into the Ohio Constitution by petition. This is the only option Ohio citizens have to limit the self-perpetuating power of the GOP in state government. Amending the Ohio Constitution without first obtaining permission from the General Assembly is a right Ohio citizens have had for over 100 years. That right is now under concerted attack. This is something you will be hearing about from me a lot over the next few months. At present, there are two paths by which amendments to the state constitution may be adopted. Amendments can be proposed by a two-thirds of both houses of the General Assembly or amendments can be proposed by citizen petitions.  Currently in either case, the proposed amendment is put to a statewide vote and the amendment becomes a part of the Ohio Constitution if more than 50% of voters approve it. The Republicans in the General Assembly intend to make it practically impossible for Ohio citizens to amend the Ohio Constitution. They propose to do this through two essentially identical pieces of legislation called House Joint Resolution 1 (“HJR 1”) and Senate Joint Resolution 2 (“SJR 2”). Citizen-initiated amendments to the Ohio Constitution are already difficult to do First, at least 1,000 registered Ohio voters must sign a petition which must be submitted to the Ohio Attorney General along with the proposed constitutional amendment and a summary of the amendment. The Attorney General decides whether the summary, which will go on the ballot, is a fair and truthful summary of the proposed amendment. If the Attorney General approves the summary, the proposed amendment then goes to the Ohio Ballot Board. The Ballot Board must decide whether the proposed amendment may go on the ballot as a single amendment or must be treated as multiple proposed amendments. If the proposed amendment makes it past the Attorney General and the Ballot Board, the hard work begins Under current law, an amendment to the Ohio Constitution proposed by citizens can only go on the ballot for Ohioans to vote on if two requirements are met. Petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State containing valid signatures of registered Ohio voters equal in number to ten percent of the vote cast statewide in the last election for Governor. Based on the 2022 gubernatorial election, that currently means that it takes 413,488 signatures from registered Ohio voters to put an amendment on the ballot. The petitions must also contain signatures from registered voters in at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties equal in number to five percent of the vote in that county in the last gubernatorial election. In Clermont County, that currently means signatures from 4,022 registered Clermont County voters. There are also a myriad of rules about the form of the petitions, how voters sign the petitions, and how signatures are collected. Those rules are too numerous and too complicated to discuss here, but the net effect is usually that somewhere between 25% and 50% of signatures on petitions submitted to the Secretary of State are not counted. If a citizen-proposed amendment clears all these hurdles, it goes on the statewide ballot and is adopted if more than 50% of Ohio voters vote for it. HJR 1 and SJR 2 aim to change those rules for CITIZEN-INITIATED amendments only Most of you have probably heard about the headline change: citizen-initiated amendments will only pass and become part of the Ohio Constitution if at least 60% of Ohio voters vote for the amendment. Sixty percent is a landslide in an election.  When Frank LaRose ran for re-election as Secretary of State last year against a little-known opponent, Frank did not get 60% of the vote. Secretary LaRose is a vocal proponent of HJR 1 and SJR 2. The 60% requirement is not, however, the most significant change that will be wrought by HJR 1 and SJR 2. Republicans also want to make it much more difficult for citizens to put proposed amendments before the voters For an amendment to reach the ballot, HJR 1 and SJR 2 would require petition signatures by registered voters in all 88 counties equal in number to five percent of the registered voters in that county. This change gives any county in the state the ability to keep an amendment off the ballot. It also increases the number of signatures required in each county by applying the percentage not to the number of people in that county who vote, but, instead, by applying the percentage to the number of registered voters in the county. Looking at our own county shows how significant the change in the petition signature requirement would be. In 2022, Clermont County had 145,532 registered voters. Only 80,436 of those voters cast a vote in the election for Governor.  Thus, under current law, getting an amendment on the ballot calls for 4,022 signatures of registered Clermont County voters.  Under HJR 1 and SJR 2, getting an amendment on the ballot would require signatures of 7,277 registered Clermont County voters.  Thus, HJR 1 and SJR 2 would increase the signature requirement in Clermont County by 81%. There is another twist to Republicans’ efforts to put the Ohio Constitution off limits from Ohioans Since HJR 1 and SJR 2 themselves propose an amendment to the Ohio Constitution, Ohioans must vote on it. Because this amendment is being put forth under current law, it passes if it gets over 50% of the vote, even if it clears that threshold by only one vote.  However, Republicans do not want Ohioans to vote on this in the November general election when we vote on other candidates and issues.  Rather, under Senate Bill 92, […]

    […]

Upcoming Events

Jun 6
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

CCDP Communications Committee Meeting

Jun 16
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Democracy In Action Summer Solstice Picnic

Jul 15
12:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Ohio Democrats Family Reunion

View Calendar

Archived E-Newsletters

  • Democracy Threatened – 05/16/2023 – Volume 98

    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 […]

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  • Don’t Let Our Voices Be Silenced – 05/02/2023 – Volume 97

    WHAT’S INSIDE CCDP Picnic In The Park Word From The Chair – Raymond Lembke What’s New From Clermont to Columbus and Beyond Sign The Petition To Protect Reproductive Rights In Ohio Ohio Democrats Drinks With Dems Event 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 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 Old Milford. This fundraising event is family oriented so bring the kids! We need young blood in the party! $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. The grill will be on with hamburgers and hotdogs, whichever you choose! Sides and drinks too. There will be games, speakers (including Jill Schiller, Hamilton County Treasurer) and our infamous Cake & Pie Auction. Come enjoy the warmer weather, hear some future candidates and mingle with your fellow Clermont County Democrats. WORD FROM THE CHAIR- Raymond Lembke Republicans hold super-majorities in both houses of the Ohio General Assembly. Republicans hold all statewide elected executive offices (Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor). Republicans hold a majority of seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Currently Ohio citizens who do not agree with the governing elite’s right-wing agenda can put provisions into the Ohio Constitution by petition. This is the only option Ohio citizens have to limit the self-perpetuating power of the GOP in state government. CONTINUE READING What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond Click on the headline to access the full article Bipartisan former Ohio governors against raising constitutional threshold to 60% and August vote A group of Republican Ohio lawmakers are dead set on raising the threshold for passing amendments to the state constitution and resurrecting an August special election to do so. But some in the party aren’t comfortable with such an aggressive maneuver. Monday, former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, a Republican, spoke out forcefully against it. CONTINUE READING PAC backed by Illinois billionaire pushes for vote on making it harder to amend Ohio constitution A political action committee has been set up to push for the constitutional amendment requiring 60% voter approval for future amendments, before a vote on a reproductive rights amendment this fall. And most of the funding for the PAC is from a billionaire Republican megadonor from Illinois. CONTINUE READING DeWine isn’t swayed by concerns expressed by elections officials over a possible August election Ohio’s elections officials are coming out firmly against the idea of a statewide special election in August to consider a change to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments. But those arguments are not swaying Gov. Mike DeWine. CONTINUE READING 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. The Republicans have also inserted their religious beliefs into government contending life begins at conception. This does not coincide with the science. See #3 and #4 in the summary above. 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. Reproductive Rights Ballot Initiative Volunteer Leadership Training Time Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 5:30pm EDT + 2 more times Location Virtual event Join from anywhere Throughout 2023, the Ohio Democratic Party is going all out on bringing an initiative to the ballot that would codify reproductive freedom in the Ohio Constitution. This is the only way to restore Ohioans ability to make reproductive decisions for themselves. Haven’t taken the dive into political volunteering before? Don’t worry, you’re in good hands! Whether you’re a seasoned politico or dipping your toes into political action for the first time, we have robust support systems in place that will equip you with everything you need to be a key contributor. Anyone that is willing to put in the work to protect abortion rights can get involved. We truly need all hands on deck if we are to succeed. LEARN MORE 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 […]

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  • Think Globally, Act Locally – 04/18/2023 – Volume 96

    WHAT’S INSIDE Petition Drive to Protect Reproductive Rights In Ohio CCDP Picnic In The Park – Save the Date Word From The Chair – Raymond Lembke What’s New From Clermont to Columbus and Beyond Pepperspectives – Downward Spiral 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 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. The Republicans have also inserted their religious beliefs into government contending life begins at conception. This does not coincide with the science. See #3 and #4 in the summary above. 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. Reproductive Rights Ballot Initiative Volunteer Leadership Training Time Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 5:30pm EDT + 2 more times Location Virtual event Join from anywhere Throughout 2023, the Ohio Democratic Party is going all out on bringing an initiative to the ballot that would codify reproductive freedom in the Ohio Constitution. This is the only way to restore Ohioans ability to make reproductive decisions for themselves. Haven’t taken the dive into political volunteering before? Don’t worry, you’re in good hands! Whether you’re a seasoned politico or dipping your toes into political action for the first time, we have robust support systems in place that will equip you with everything you need to be a key contributor. Anyone that is willing to put in the work to protect abortion rights can get involved. We truly need all hands on deck if we are to succeed. LEARN MORE CCDP Picnic In The Park Save the Date! 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 Old Milford. This fundraising event is family oriented so bring the kids! We need young blood in the party! $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. The grill will be on with hamburgers and hotdogs, whichever you choose! Sides and drinks too. There will be games, speakers (including Jill Schiller, Hamilton County Treasurer) and our infamous Cake & Pie Auction. Come enjoy the warmer weather, hear some future candidates and mingle with your fellow Clermont County Democrats. WORD FROM THE CHAIR- Raymond Lembke Over the weekend, I read the Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (“The January 6th Report”) (Cleadon Books 2022). While the 724 pages of the commercially published version might seem daunting, each chapter is followed by several pages of end notes citing the evidence which supports the statements in the text. These end notes are important to show that the Report’s statements are not made up, and material in many of the notes is interesting in itself, the actual text of the Report is much shorter. CONTINUE READING What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond Click on the headline to access the full article Analysis: Ohio’s 2024 Senate primary is shaping up to be a repeat of 2022 The 2024 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate nomination, in which the winner will face the difficult task of knocking off Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown, is beginning to remind some of us of the 2022 Senate primary, one of the nastiest, ugliest on record. It ended up producing J.D. Vance as the GOP nominee and eventual winner of now-retired Sen. Rob Portman’s seat. CONTINUE READING Ohio SOS gives yet another reason to make it a lot harder for voters to amend Constitution Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Wednesday offered another rationale for making it much more difficult for voters to amend the Ohio Constitution. Now he’s saying it’s needed to fight a possible power grab like one that grew out of a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal. But LaRose didn’t mention in his op-ed that his name came up repeatedly in a criminal trial related to the scandal and that he appeared to be in close communication with some of its central figures. Nor did his office respond when asked whether LaRose ever spoke out […]

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