Young People! Please Vote!

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/10/26/ohio-issue-1-and-issue-2-carry-massive-significance-for-younger-voters/

Now Is The Time!

Issue 1 may be our last opportunity to secure reproductive rights (abortion, contraception, miscarriage care, fertility treatment, continuing one's pregnancy) and keep them in the hands of individuals. It is a simply worded ballot issue that would install important protections in the Ohio State Constitution, so that even the Republican supermajority in the most gerrymandered state in the country cannot infringe on them.

NOT Extreme.

This amendment returns Ohio back to the policies that were in place prior to Roe v Wade being overturned.

Language Wars

Question: Why wouldn’t the Ohio Ballot Board simply put the verbatim language of a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot for the voters to read and decide on for themselves? Because they didn't (and they are controlled by Republicans).

Here is the exact wording of what will be added to our constitution if Issue 1 passes. Despite being very short, you will not find it on the ballot because Republicans:
https://www.readtheamendment.com/

Here is a comparison document I put together for you to compare the actual amendment and the 100% anti-choice Republican created wording that will appear on your ballot:
Ohio Nov 2023 Issue 1 Language Comparison

LIES LIES LIES! (and Fear)

Please read the non-partisan League of Women Voters information on Issue 1:
https://www.lwvohio.org/factsonnovembersissue1

Note that opponents of issue 1 are LYING. I've seen ads and billboards saying things like "abortion at any point during pregnancy is not right for Ohio. Vote no." That is a blatant lie. If Issue 1 passes, the only way anyone can get an abortion after fetal viability (the Roe v Wade standard) is if the mother's life or health is in danger. Nobody will be able to randomly decide they don't want to have a child at 7 months and stroll into the clinic for an abortion, but they sure do want you to think so.

All the opposition (vote no) signs say "Protect Children," and "Protect Parent's Rights." They also frequently conjure up images of "late term abortions" or "forced sex changes." They also refused to allow the term "fetus" or "fetal" to be on the ballot, replacing it with "unborn child." By the way, "unborn child" and "late term abortion" are NOT medical terms and neither is included in the language of the actual amendment.  Just made up language. Total fear mongering Republican garbage.

The amendment clearly states that abortion may be prohibited (an WILL be under current Ohio Law) after Fetal viability. Here is the verbatim relevant text included in the amendment:
"However, abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability. But in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgment of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health."

HOW WOULD THIS AMENDMENT AFFECT PARENTAL RIGHTS?
It wouldn’t. There is nothing in the amendment that changes Ohio laws around parental consent. Ohio law requires minors under the age of 18 to get consent from at least one parent when seeking an abortion. Minors who believe they are unable to tell a parent must get a court order from a judge through a process called judicial bypass. There is nothing in the amendment that would change this.
Source: League of Women Voters

HOW WOULD THIS AMENDMENT AFFECT GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE?
It doesn’t. There is nothing in the amendment that has anything to do with gender-affirming care.
Source: League of Women Voters

Other Resources

Ballotpedia Page on Issue 1

https://www.readtheamendment.com/

Red Wine & Blue - Ohio

2022 Ohio Abortion Statistics

Ohio Secretary of State Sample Ballot (view yours!) Page

Ballotpedia Page for Issue 2, Click Here

What Issue 2 Would Do If it Passes

Issue 2 would legalize and regulate recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and above, including cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, and home growth. If the initiative is approved by voters in 2023, adults would be able to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. Additionally, individuals would be permitted to cultivate up to six marijuana plants at home, while households could cultivate up to 12 plants collectively.

The Division of Cannabis Control, created under the initiative, would be responsible for regulating and licensing marijuana operators and facilities and would oversee the compliance and standardization of marijuana businesses and production in Ohio. Licensing for distributing facilities would take up to nine months after the law takes effect 30 days after approval (December 7).

Under Issue 2, marijuana sales would be taxed at 10%. The revenue generated from this tax would be directed toward establishing a cannabis social equity and jobs program. This program would be designed to provide financial support and assistance for license applications to individuals who have been disproportionately affected by past marijuana-related law enforcement.

Why I Think We Should Vote Yes On Issue 2

Whatever you think about marijuana use, criminalizing it and punishing people who do use it is NOT the answer. We are long past due to stop punishing each other and actually address marijuana use responsibly. The number of lives that have been hurt and the damage that has been done to our communities by CRIMINALIZATION is far greater than that done by the actual drug and use of it. We don't put people in jail or fine them excessively for drinking alcohol, which is a far more dangerous drug than marijuana. Let's treat marijuana the same way. Also, there is no illegal alcohol market and we don't worry about alcohol being smuggled into the country, etc. Why? Because alcohol is not illegal. Let's treat marijuana (again, far less dangerous than alcohol) the same way.

• • City Council (Choose 9 of 10)
    Basically we are deciding if we want a 100% Democrat majority on Council or merely an 89% Democrat majority. If you are one of those weirdos who think Republicans have anything whatsoever to offer, then pick a random Dem and replace them with Liz Keating, who - although she is the granddaughter of the late, anti-porn, hyper-conservative Savings and Loan Scandal Criminal Charles Keating Jr - is actually one of the least annoying Republicans in Hamilton County.

    • Anna Albi (challenger Dem) YES!

    • Jeff Cramerding (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Reggie Harris (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Mark Jeffreys (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Scotty Johnson (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Meeka Owens (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Victoria Parks (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Seth Walsh (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Liz Keating (incumbent Rep) Meh

  • Cincinnati City School District Board (Choose 3 of 5)
    Choose 3 and there are 3 endorsed Democrats. Duh.

    • Eve Bolton (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Ben Lindy (incumbent Dem) YES!

    • Kendra Mapp (challenging Dem) YES!

    • Brian Cannon Blah

    • Paul Schiele Blah

  • Issue 22 (Sale of Cincinnati Southern Railway) YES!

    • Basically this entire issue comes down to us as a community making a pretty basic financial investing decision. Do we,

      • A) Keep a unique and valuable financial asset the way it exists already or

      • B) Reinvest that asset in another asset that both lowers our risk through diversification AND increases our income greatly (by conservative estimates)

    • If you can get past all the smoke screens and intellectually dishonest diversions, the choice is incredibly obvious (B - yes on 22), and that is why a hugely diverse and bipartisan coalition of Cincinnati leaders support Issue 22 - selling the Cincinnati Southern Railway and reinvesting it in a Trust that will greatly benefit the city and citizens of Cincinnati in perpetuity.

    • The way I see it, there are really only two logical reasons to oppose Issue 22: 1) Because you don't trust it/us/government/etc and 2) because you want to draw attention to another concern by mucking up this one.

      • • I get not trusting government, but in this particular matter, the proposed action has been extremely well vetted, is pretty much bi-partisan, has been responsibly managed for many years by the same people who are proposing it, contains multiple failsafe provisions and oversight in the Ohio Constitution, and also has a very high degree of transparency. A healthy distrust is good, but in this case, I believe Issue 22 merits voting as if we do trust the process. If you can't research, understand, and get behind this issue, I have a hard time imagining how you could ever do so for anything.

        • As far as drawing attention to other issues, the NAACP does not support Issue 2 for this reason and their other concerns are VERY legitimate. I recommend you learn more about them and also about Issue 22, but ultimately neither a yes or no on Issue 22 gets us any closer to actually addressing the harms that have been done.

    • Here is an excellent NPR article that gives the details (many interesting and unique to Cincinnati!) you should be aware of before deciding how to vote on Issue 22:

      • • • 30 questions (and counting) about the Cincinnati Southern Railway sale, answered

    • Articles regarding Issue 22:

      • 30 questions (and counting) about the Cincinnati Southern Railway sale, answered

      • Lack of public input might doom Issue 22, but selling railroad still a good idea | Opinion

      • NAACP and Black Cincinnati Leaders Still Divided on Issue 22

      • Fact checking Cincinnati train sale campaign advertisement

      • Issue 22 Ballotpedia Page

      • Should Cincinnati sell the only municipally owned railroad in the U.S.? Hear both sides on Issue 22

      • Should Cincinnati sell the railway it has owned for nearly 150 years? Hear both sides on Issue 22

  • Issue 23 (Charter Amendment) YES!

    • Issue 23 is an easy Yes vote. Dubbed the "least controversial issue on the ballot," it simple cleans up the City of Cincinnati's Charter (governing document) so that various processes are clear and wording becomes consistent with state, county, and city law.

    • Here's the NPR Article about it

  • Issue 24 (Charter Amendment - Affordable Housing Tax) YES!

    • This amendment adjusts the City of Cincinnati Income tax (raising it from 1.8% to 2.1%) and uses all added revenue to bolster affordable housing in the city. I support it. So does the ACLU and housing advocate groups. Interestingly, though, both the Democratic and Republican Parties do not support Issue 24. The reasoning cited by Democrats boils down to they don't think this is the best way to address the affordable housing issue. Well, that sounds a lot to me like "we're just more focused on other things" (abortion rights, marijuana legalization, saving democracy). Regardless there is nothing in the initiative that says it has to be the ONLY way to address affordable housing - and I think this issue DOES need to be addressed pronto, so why wait?

    • IMPORTANT: If Issue 24 passes, it still is not guaranteed to go into effect. It would force City Council to place a funding initiative on the ballot next year (Nov 2024) and the residents of Cincinnati would then have to pass that measure in order for it to actually go into effect and begin raising $40-50 million per year for affordable housing.

    • Key Links:

      • Enquirer "Need to Know" Article on Issue 24

      • Cincy Housing For All Website

      • ACLU's statement of Support for Issue 24

• • Issue 19 (Zoo Tax Levy Renewal) YES!

    • Issue 19 renews a tax levy (no increase in taxes) that was originally passed in 1982 and was last raised in 2008. It pays for about 17% of the operational expenses for the world renowned Cincinnati Zoo and costs land owners in hamilton county $9 per year for every $100,000 in property value that they own.

    • Links:

      • NPR Rundown

      • Enquirer Article

      • Ballotpedia

  • Issue 20 (Hamilton County Library Tax Levy Renewal & increase) YES!

    • This Levy both Renews a previous tax levy and increases it. The end result would be $43 per year for each $100,000 a Hamilton County resident owns in property value.

    • I support Issue 20 because libraries are being jeopardized from many directions across the country, Hamilton County's library system is exemplary and we need to support a valuable resource for our citizenry. State funding for libraries has been decreasing, costs to libraries (especially regarding e-books) have been increasing significantly, and intentional damage to/fascist style censorship of libraries for culture war political motivations has been on the rise as a tactic by the political forces that think understanding, awareness, education, caring and consideration ("wokeness") are a bad thing.

    • Links:

      • NPR Article

      • Ballotpedia

Hamilton County Municipal Court has 7 Geographic Districts and 14 Elected Judge Seats. The Districts were gerrymandered by Democrats a long time ago in order to ensure that Hamilton County's African American community had representation in the Municipal Courts. The judges, although elected by 1/7th of the county geographically, all represent and hear cases from the entire county. So if you end up in Municipal Court (mostly misdemeanors and low level felonies), it is highly likely that you will be in front of a judge that you never had the opportunity to vote for or against.

Because of the way the Districts are drawn, 12 of the 14 seats are pretty much never challenged - 6 are almost always Democrat and 6 are almost always Republican. District 4 is the only one where the seat is contested at all this year. If you happen to live in District 4, PLEASE vote for Samantha Silverstein (the Dem endorsed candidate). If she defeats Republican Curt Kissenger, the overall balance of the court will be 50-50 (7 Dems and 7 Reps). If Kissinger wins, it will 8 Rep, 6 Dem, and Republicans would continue to hold majority power - and have an oversized influence on basic court proceedings (such as how cash bail is handled).

Here is a Map (Click Here) of Hamilton County's Municipal Court Districts. District 4 includes the Southeast corner of Hamilton County to Newtown, Fairfax, Norwood, and also along the river in Southeast Downtown.

• • District 1 - uncontested Janaya Trotter Brannon (incumbent, Dem endorsed) YES!

  • District 2 - uncontested Donte Johnson (incumbent, Dem endorsed) YES!

  • District 3 - uncontested William Mallory (incumbent, Dem endorsed) YES!

  • District 4 CONTESTED! - the only contested district

    • Curt Kissenger NO!

    • Samantha Silverstein (challenger, Dem endorsed) YES!

  • District 5 - uncontested Brad Greenburg Blah

  • District 6 - uncontested Bernie Bouchard Blah

  • District 7 - uncontested Jackie Ginocchio Blah

Below are all the endorsed Democrats for the leadership positions (Boards and Mayors) on the various small cities and townships in Hamilton County. If you live there, vote for these guys!

• • Cheviot

    • Sam Keller for Mayor

    • Stephanie Hawk for Council

  • Colerain Township

    • Theresa Harper Kolodzik for Trustee

  • Deer Park

    • Neil Kelly for Council

  • Forest Park Council (note you can only vote for 3, but they are all Dems)

    • Aharon Brown for Council - My Fav, current mayor

    • Wayne Coates for Council - previous mayor, council member, county recorder, & state representative

    • Denise Holt for Council - current 1st vice mayor

    • Reggie Sylvester for Council - current council member

  • Newtown

    • Sarah Donohue for Council

  • North College Hill

    • Tracie Nichols for Mayor

      • Current Mayor of NCH

      • First Black Mayor of NCH

  • Norwood

    • Emily Franzen for Council

    • Susan Hoover for Council

    • Alexis Royse for Council

    • Joseph Geers for President of Council

    • Sam Bowling for 1st Ward Council

    • Candace Winterbauer for 2nd Ward Council

    • Jeff Girton for 3rd Ward Council

    • Keith Moore for Director of Law

  • Springdale

    • David Gleaves for Council

  • Springfield Township

    • Sara Braun for Council

  • St. Bernard

    • Nicole Klungle for Council

    • Connor Moreton for Council

  • Symmes Township

    • Karen Brownlee for Trustee

School Board Races may seem small potatoes, BUT in recent history a key Republican tactic is to invest large amounts of outsider money into these (normally small dollar) races, assume control of the board and institute censorship and discriminatory policies that are harmful to children in order to further culture wars. They want to indoctrinate schools with propaganda and do not care about the quality or success of our public schools. In fact they would not mind if our public school systems failed completely and the only option was private (mostly religious) schools. It is critical that we get as many Democrats on as many school boards as possible so that our children are provided the best quality education possible and America can eventually become truly great.

Vote for these Democrats:

• • Forest Hills School Board

    • Wendy Stickler Biederman

    • Jason Simmons

  • Northwest School Board

    • Victoria Lowry - GREAT CANDIDATE ALERT!

  • Norwood School Board

    • Alice Rericha

  • Princeton School Board

    • Gina Ruffin Moore