With less than 100 days before the November 5 election, we usher in August with our sights firmly set on passing the Citizens Not Politicians amendment and protecting access to the ballot. The stakes are high and your support is critical because election threats are real. Please explore the opportunities below to join our efforts.

Leading Redistricting Reform

The threats to establish a citizens redistricting commission keep coming, but they are no match to our momentum.  On July 23, the Ohio Secretary of State certified the Citizens Not Politicians Amendment for this November’s ballot with an impressive 535,005 valid signatures and 58 counties that reached the 5% threshold. Next, the Ohio Ballot Board will meet on August 16 to issue ballot language and officially provide Citizens Not Politicians with a ballot number.

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference in an attempt to poke holes in the Citizens Not Politicians amendment. He shared his opposition to the amendment and recommended the Iowa redistricting model where elected officials have the final say. We echo retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor’s response, “We’re done listening to self-serving politicians tell us how they want to keep rigging the game. On to November.”

Now we go to work, again! After nearly a year of collecting signatures, it’s time to educate voters and kick into “Vote YES” campaign mode. 

• Join us Aug. 14 @ 6pm – our next Fair Districts Volunteer Huddle
• Sign up to volunteer with Fair Districts (if you haven’t already)
• Join the Fair Districts Speakers Bureau to help educate your friends and neighbors
• Request a Speaker if you have an event
• Order a Ban Gerrymandering T-shirt to wear this fall

Election Protection – Supporting Voters 

We’ve been working to monitor and push back on mass voter challenges and on-going threats to Ohio’s election systems. We were alarmed to discover that a private group called the Ohio Election Integrity Network has been going around to the County Boards of Elections and challenging hundreds of voter registrations. 

We recently sent a letter to Secretary Frank LaRose seeking a statewide directive to ensure that boards of elections respond to voter challenges consistently and according to established law. These challenges are not only an assault on voters’ rights and a form of voter suppression, but also place a tremendous burden on election officials and taxpayers. They are designed to erode confidence in our elections systems and must not go unchecked.

Can you attend a Board of Elections meeting?

We are looking for volunteers to attend a monthly meeting in the following counties: Butler, Clark, Fairfield, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Ottawa, Pickaway, Stark, Trumbull, Union, Warren, Wood. Sign up here.

Interested in helping dispel mis/disinformation?

We’re always monitoring social media for misleading or plain wrong information when it comes to elections. If you’re looking for a way to help voters from the comfort of your home, join our next online Social Media Monitoring Party on Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30pm. 

Election Protection efforts ramp up

If you’re looking for a nonpartisan way to get involved this fall, consider joining Ohio’s Election Protection team—supporting voters and promoting the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. 

Sign Up to Volunteer for Voters

Our July Election Protection Summit was a success—we were joined by more than 100 advocates from 16 counties to learn about threats, challenges and opportunities to support voters this election season! The summit included advocates, academics, and election officials. 

Pushing Back on Power Grabs – Following the Money

US Supreme Court Ethics

Last year, the US Supreme Court established a voluntary code of conduct. Since then, we have learned more about the undisclosed travel and gifts given to justices by those with a stake in the important decisions made by our highest court. 

Join Common Cause Ohio and Ohio Fair Courts Alliance for a panel discussion on ethics and reform in the highest court August 15 @ 7pm. 

US Supreme Court Forum RSVP

Judge the Ads

• Check out the website at JudgeTheAds.org, the Common Cause Ohio site focused on the Ohio Supreme Court where we encourage voters to “Follow the Money” and look at political advertising with a critical eye.  
• We are collaborating with Lisa Graves at True North Research.  

The August 15, panel discussion will include Lisa Graves and Gabe Roth of Fix the Court and will be moderated by Maria Bruno of Ohioans Against Extremism. 

Article V Convention

On July 31, the Cincinnati Enquirer featured an op-ed by Mia Lewis, our associate director about the dangers of a Constitutional Convention of States. This troubling proposal is too close to home as lawmakers have introduced legislation to add Ohio to the list of states pushing for a convention (House Joint Resolution 3 and House Bill 607). Read more about the dangers of an Article V Convention of States.

You’re Invited!

I know this is a lot of information, but we want to be sure you know how we’re tackling the priorities in our state and where you can plug in. If you’d like the conversation version of our monthly updates, join us on August 22 at 8:30am for: 

August’s Coffee with Common Cause

We’re looking forward to catching up with you!  

Thanks for all you do,

Catherine Turcer and the team at Common Cause Ohio

P.S. Can you consider a recurring donation to support critical Election Protection work for these next three critical months?