Author: Lee Kirkpatrick

Ohio’s Anti-Voter Bill would reduce the number of days of early voting, shorten mail ballot access by a week, restrict ballot drop boxes, and codify new reasons to throw away ballots, among other changes opposed by pro-voter advocates.

Ohio’s latest anti-voter bill comes as Republicans across the country have introduced over 350 bills restricting the right to vote this year alone, including in Ohio, where House Republicans recently approved a resolution urging Congress not to pass the For the People Act, legislation to make sure voting options are equally accessible across all 50 states.

“What we saw today was unsettling—Republicans unwilling to engage in civil discourse on their bill that would silence the voices of Ohioans by rolling back the right to vote,” said Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “If Republicans are unwilling to hear the people out, Democrats are going to take this issue to the people.”

Leader Sykes and House Democrats Thursday announced a statewide listening tour to hear from Ohio voters about the Ohio Anti-Voter Bill. The tour will be June 2-5 in cities throughout the state. Tentative dates for the tour include:

• Wednesday, June 2 in Cincinnati from 6-8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 3 in Columbus from 6-8 p.m.
• Friday, June 4 in Akron from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Saturday, June 5 in Cleveland from 12-2 p.m.

Locations will be announced in the coming days.

Here is what other Democratic members of the committee are saying:

“Any bill that erodes our freedom to vote is a nonstarter. Period,” said Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland). “HB 294 is an unwarranted rollback of our right to vote that’s every bit as dangerous as what passed in Georgia. The goal of this bill is simple—to suppress the votes and silence the voices of the marginalized and those who wish to be heard. We already have enough anti-voter laws in Ohio. We don’t need any more.”

“We had serious concerns about this bill and today’s hearing did nothing to allay those concerns. In fact, it confirmed them. This bill erodes our freedom to vote and anyone who values safe and accessible elections should be worried about the suppression tactics contained in this bill,” said Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron).

“House Bill 294 is a divisive and dangerous anti-voter bill that contains many of the same attacks on our freedom to vote we saw pass in Georgia and other states—and Republicans don’t even want Ohioans to hear about it,” said Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati). “Our statewide tour will empower Ohioans to be heard. Because we know that a democracy that works for us must include all of us.”

Aryeh Alex (he/him)
Executive Director, Ohio House Democratic Caucus

Did you know that there will be two levies on the May 4 ballot for Xenia schools? One levy will fund a replacement for Warner Middle School. Replacing the school will be less expensive in the long run than repairing the plumbing, electrical, and heating systems in the old school. This levy will provide a better learning environment for our students and have a positive impact on property values within the school district. The second levy is a replacement of an existing levy (no increase in taxes). This levy is designed to extend the current tax levy, allowing for general upkeep and maintenance to continue in our school buildings and keep our students safe. This will not increase your tax rate! See the attached images for a Xenia student’s point of view.

Please spread the word.  There will be someone at the Greene County Democratic Party Headquarters, 10 S. Detroit Street, Xenia OH, on the following dates and times to help you get an appointment for a Covid 19 vaccine.  Virus Protection for COVID 19 is in effect.  No more than two people may be inside at a time. Face masks are mandatory.

You can either stop by in person (masked, please) or call the office during the hours listed below (937-372-6003).   If we are busy and cannot take your call, please leave a voice mail with your name and phone number for callback and over-the-phone assistance.  Watch for a return phone call with the ending numbers 6003 or 0775.

Monday  –  March 15 – 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Monday  –  March 22 – 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Monday  –  March 29 – 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

Click here to access our COVID-19 Newsletter supplement containing more information and links.

We are all in this together. There is a need to get the vaccines into as many of us as possible to avoid creating more virulent virus mutations. Our Democratic Party Chairperson, Doris Adams has received her first shot and encourages everyone to get vaccinated. If you do not receive the GCDP newsletter, please visit our webpage and sign up. This month a supplement was published with the latest links for information about Covid 19 and how to sign up for a vaccine.

Click here for our newsletter supplement with more information about COVID vaccinations!

Click here to check out our February newsletter.

Deborah Smith is our new treasurer and Anne Gerard is elected to another term on the Board of Elections. Congratulations to both!

President Biden had declared MLK Day as a day of service to the community. Here are a few things our GCDP members did on the day of service.

PRESS RELEASE

The Greene County Democratic Party abhors the actions and events that occurred on January 06 and calls on the Republican Party to condemn those involved and to call for the resignation of President Trump.  President Trump and his Republican Party are now guilty of encouraging violence at our Capitol.  President Trump encouraged his followers to come to DC on Jan 6 and that it would “be wild.”  During the days that he encouraged his followers to come to DC for a “wild” day – the very day that our Congress would be counting electoral votes and confirming the will of the people, the Republican Party remained silent.  The Republican Party’s silence on this topic was implied support.  During the day of January 06,  President Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., and Rudy Guiliani continued to lie to the assembled crowd of thousands, continued to speak conspiracy theories, and encourage the crowd to go to the Capitol.  Guiliani used the word “combat” in his speech.  The result was an incident of insurrection.  An insurrection is a violent uprising against a government and that clearly is what was encouraged and that is clearly what happened.  These actions cannot remain unaddressed.  

Meanwhile, in the Capitol building, at the joint session of Congress, Republicans were busy trying to subvert the results of the most secure election in the history of the United States by trying to reject certain States certified electoral results.  About 100 Republican Representatives and several Senators rose to try and deny the votes of the citizens.  An attempt to disenfranchise millions.  The disenfranchisement attempt was directed at those states where large votes from people of color made a decisive impact on the election.  As the Republicans have not supported reauthorizing the Voting Right Act and have engaged in actions across multiple states to remove people of color from voting lists, close voting election locations in areas where people of color are the dominant voters, and pass voter ID laws – these shameful actions are not surprising.

Our Capitol was overrun by seditionists and the Republican Party cannot be held blameless.  The Republican Party cannot be allowed to claim thoughts and prayers as their response.  The Republican Party must call upon President Trump to resign, tell the truth to their Party members, and stop spreading conspiracy theories.  Finally, continuing to display Trump flags in any form is supportive of lies that are harming our United States.  The Republican Party needs to call on its members to remove the Trump flags as Trump has clearly been guilty of seditionist behavior.

Supporting members of GCDP stepped-up to the call for contributions of food, essential supplies, gifts for children and monetary donations for its 16^th annual Adopt Greene County Families for the Holidays program.  This event had always generated a tremendous response from the membership who have made the holidays special for families who are less fortunate in our community.  During this past year, when the need to help has been critical, Greene County Democrats went above and beyond their usual level of generosity.  GCDP’s office manager and chief organizer for the program, Eileen Martin, said, “The members’ response to this year’s request for donations was magnificent!  It was a touching experience to see that the families’ needs were so well filled.”   Eileen added a special “thank you” to Cindy Curtis and Bev Hogue.  “They helped to make this program a success at every step of the process.”

This past year, care packages were distributed to nine families with children on December 19^th.  Each family received bundles of fresh and non-perishable foods, personal and cleaning supplies, gift cards and gifts for children.  At the start of the day, GCDP’s headquarters was filled with holiday cheer and mountains of presents for the families.  Due to the ongoing pandemic, the care packages were purchased and distributed by a limited number of volunteers whose enthusiasm and energy helped to carry the loads. 

At the end of the day, the families had picked up their packages.  They were thankful to have the means to celebrate the holidays for their children, and they were moved by the assistance that had been provided by GCDP’s supporting members. The holiday season is typically celebrated with family, friends, food and the gift of giving to others.  It can also be a time of great difficulty and stress for those who are less fortunate.  As this past year has demonstrated, we are all vulnerable to being lonely and disadvantaged.  2020 was an especially trying time as we have all felt the fear of insecurity for our health, safety and economic needs.  That makes the generosity of GCDP members’ donations to the 2020 Adopt Greene County Families for the Holidays program so special.  Thank you to all who contributed.