Updates from Ohio – Welcome February!
We’ve put together some timely updates below on the Primary in March, ways to get involved in our redistricting reform effort, and our upcoming “Coffee with Common Cause” for members and friends.
February’s Coffee with Common Cause
Please join me for a virtual meetup on Thursday, February 8 at 8:30 am. Grab some coffee or some tea and let’s discuss what’s happening in Ohio. Do you have questions about gerrymandering? Do you wonder how to get more involved? Do you want to learn more about fighting election disinformation, election laws being proposed at the Ohio Statehouse, campaign finance reform and more? This informal discussion is for you!
Register for Coffee Time
Redistricting Updates
There’s a new redistricting reform effort in town, and Common Cause is at its core! Over the last six weeks, the Fair Districts Coalition has been focused on training volunteers and getting them ready to go out and collect signatures to get the Citizens Not Politicians amendment on the ballot this November. The amendment will take mapmaking away from elected officials and give it to an independent citizens redistricting commission similar to those used in Arizona, California, Colorado, and our neighbor Michigan. Read the petition and our amendment FAQs, and consider joining our work.
We’ve trained over 1,500 redistricting reformers to circulate petition booklets; teams of volunteers are already out gathering signatures all over the state! It’s inspiring to see so many Ohioans, armed with their clipboards and pens, fighting gerrymandering and working to repair our democracy. We’d love to have you join the Fair Districts team!
Ways to Help Get Fair Districts:
- Sign up to volunteer
- Donate to provide tshirts and beanies to volunteers in the field
- Get trained to collect signatures – next training is Feb. 8 @ noon
- Join the Fair Districts speakers bureau
Sign Up To Volunteer
Ohio Primary Election — March 19
The March election is right around the corner. In addition to the presidential primary, there will also be a U.S. Senate primary race and local candidates and ballot issues across the state.
Important dates:
- February 20: Voter registration deadline
- February 21: First day of Early Vote
- March 12: Last day to request an absentee ballot
- March 17: Last day of early voting
- March 18: Deadline to postmark absentee ballot. NO EARLY IN PERSON VOTING
- March 19: Election Day – polls open 6:30am-7:30pm
You can share VoteOhio.gov with your family and friends—it’s a one-stop shop to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, find the full voting schedule, and more.
You can also sign up to be a poll worker in your county. Election officials are the backbone of our elections and help ensure voters can cast their ballot. Be a democracy hero! Sign up to be a poll worker today.
Common Cause Ohio will continue our work with Election Protection, the nation’s largest voter protection coalition, equipping volunteers with the tools and resources they need to help monitor the polls, answer voter questions, and circulate truthful election messaging on social media. Please share 866-OUR-VOTE, the nonpartisan voter support hotline, with friends and neighbors.
Sign up to volunteer with Election Protection
We appreciate your commitment to strengthening democracy and to Common Cause Ohio. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming trainings and meetings. Your support helps us advocate for safe, fair elections and accountable government. Please contact kdufour@commoncause.org with any questions or comments.