{"id":384,"date":"2024-04-03T21:45:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T21:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/articles\/updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism\/"},"modified":"2024-04-03T21:45:57","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T21:45:57","slug":"updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/articles\/updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism\/","title":{"rendered":"Updates from Ohio \u2013  April Showers Bring\u2026Blooming Activism"},"template":"","class_list":["post-384","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry","article_type-blog-post"],"acf":{"details":{"summary":"","featured_image":null,"article_type":153,"authors":null,"related_issues":[109,420],"related_work":false,"location":null},"sidebar":{"helper_enable_sidebar":false,"helper_media_contact":{"heading":"Media Contact","manually_enter_person":false,"person":null,"name":"","role":"","phone":"","email":""},"helper_links_downloads":{"heading":"Links & Downloads","links":null}},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">April is in full bloom and so is our effort to collect signatures to get an amendment to create a\u00a0 citizens redistricting commission on the ballot in November. Our volunteers are doing amazing things, and with nicer weather on the way, there will be no stopping us! But the effort to get Citizens Not Politicians on the ballot\u00a0 isn\u2019t the only item on our agenda this month. Please enjoy these updates and consider joining us at an upcoming event.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b>Redistricting Updates \u2013 Fair Districts Leading the Pack<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common Cause Ohio is at the forefront of the battle to end gerrymandering in Ohio. We help organize the Fair Districts coalition \u2013 the most active, involved, and effective of Citizens Not Politicians campaign partners, bringing the full force of our 12,000-member coalition to the statewide effort.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>*** Join us for the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_rL776R2BTOCJwbO6HZ0FGA#\/registration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle<\/b><\/a> <b>\u2013\u00a0 Wed. April 10 @ 6 pm, with special guest, former Chief Justice Maureen O\u2019Connor.<\/b><\/p>\r\n<b>Fair Districts by the Numbers:<\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Volunteers: Over 2,500 signed up<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trained: Over 2,000<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regional Hubs: 7<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaders: 300+<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local teams: 80+<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Petition Circulation trainings: 18<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distributed: 400+ event signs, 1,115 t-shirts, 700 beanies and 22,000 stickers<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/act.commoncause.org\/fundraising\/common-cause-ohios-redistricting-gear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Donate to End Gerrymandering<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensnotpoliticians.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citizens Not Politicians<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensnotpoliticians.org\/petition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the petition<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/resource\/citizens-not-politicians-amendment-faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amendment FAQs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and consider joining our work. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/amg241.github.io\/FairDistricts-Pickup-DropOff-Locations\/#8\/40.508\/-82.938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows where our Fair District leaders and volunteers are mobilizing. Reach out to the team nearest to you to get involved, or sign up at our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfNiY4yqJuL57G5EjNoeg7CwlsD4XK2bzMvzy5dJhr7XZKaHA\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">volunteer sign up link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are interested in signing the petition, use this link to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mobilize.us\/citizensnotpoliticians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">find a signature collection event<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 and bring along your family or friends!\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-9297 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/04\/CNP-300x157.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"235\" \/>\r\n\r\n<b>Election Protection<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio\u2019s Election Protection coalition mobilized more than 100 poll monitors to help voters during the 2024 March primary. There were also 250 Fair Districts volunteer circulators at the polls with hotline resources in case they were needed.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turnout numbers eclipsed the 2022 primary, with many voters taking advantage of early vote and vote-by-mail options. Our team remained on alert for any necessary rapid response during Election Day and hosted social media monitoring sessions to report disinformation. Election Protection Ambassadors put nearly 500 yard signs at polling locations, and distributed 15,000 promotional cards and hundreds of posters with information about 866-OUR-VOTE across the state.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common Cause is a leader in the national Election Protection coalition and continues to explore innovative ways to support and advocate for voters. We will need all hands on deck for the November Presidential Election.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can help this year by distributing 866-OUR-VOTE materials and yard signs, supporting voters at the polls, monitoring social media mis\/disinformation, or helping us follow Boards of Elections through certification. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/protectthevote.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commit today to become a nonpartisan volunteer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/04\/EPDog-284x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"370\" \/>\r\n\r\n<b>Election Security Updates<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the March 19 Primary, county Boards of Elections (BOEs) have been hard at work reviewing provisional and absentee ballots and assessing the outcome of the election. Common Cause Ohio is working with other voter advocate organizations to track and analyze election administration up until the certification on April 9.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Twenty-eight observers are attending nearly 20 Boards of Elections meetings in big and small counties, and we\u2019re compiling the data. This Ohio Canvass Monitoring Program is an exciting way to participate in our democracy after each Election Day. Better understanding how election officials canvass the vote, certify the election, and audit their work helps us be better voting advocates. Each step is open to the public.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are watching for issues such as:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strict photo ID laws impacting voters<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New equipment integration<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovative ways for training and voter education<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistent application of Secretary of State directives<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<b>Dark Money Updates \u2013 Householder Headlines Again<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are still living with the cost of corruption and the consequences of dark money. It\u2019s not just that Ohio ratepayers continue to subsidize two failing coal plants \u2013 last week, former Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder was indicted on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/03\/25\/us\/politics\/larry-householder-ohio-speaker-charges.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 additional state felony counts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> related to the $60 million scheme. Among other charges, Householder is accused of misuse of public dollars and using campaign contributions to pay his legal bills.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Randazzo, former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, along with former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling, were also recently charged for their alleged roles in propping up two nuclear plants. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ohiocapitaljournal.com\/2024\/02\/16\/fresh-bailout-and-bribery-indictments-raise-questions-about-what-ohio-gov-dewine-knew-and-when\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reports<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggest strong connections between the DeWine administration and FirstEnergy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We are watching to see what will be uncovered next and will continue to advocate for greater transparency to reduce corruption.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b>Upcoming Events<\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/tZwof-2przsiGty3h4FPM5HrofftG7WFObz1#\/registration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio Voter Rights Coalition Membership Meeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Fri. April 5 @ noon<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_rL776R2BTOCJwbO6HZ0FGA#\/registration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Wed. April 10 @ 6 pm, featuring former Chief Justice Maureen O\u2019Connor<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/tZIpcuqtpzIiG9c0IHejPz8lEiazFLTbsfux\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fair Districts Petition Circulator Training<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Wed. April 17 @ noon<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please join us at an upcoming event soon.<\/span>"}}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Updates from Ohio \u2013 April Showers Bring\u2026Blooming Activism - Common Cause Ohio<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/articles\/updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Updates from Ohio \u2013 April Showers Bring\u2026Blooming Activism\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/articles\/updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Common Cause Ohio\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/OH.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"675\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/articles\/updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/ohio\/articles\/updates-from-ohio-april-showers-bringblooming-activism\/\",\"name\":\"Updates from Ohio \u2013 April Showers Bring\u2026Blooming Activism - 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