FROM OUR CHAIR SEAN PARSONS
Hello Democrats!
Did you know that Athens County Democrats have currently collected the 12th most petitions for Reproductive Freedom out of all parties in the State of Ohio? You heard that right – out of all 88 counties, we are Number 12. We’ve collected 300% of the goal sent to us by ODP. We’re getting it done!
But this is still the beginning. Issue 1 on August 8 must be defeated. Our fantastic group of organizers and volunteers have been working around the clock nonstop. We’re going to need all hands on-deck for this one. Canvassing, phone calls, letters to editors, postcard writing, talking to you friends, whatever. We just can’t sit this one out. Make a plan to vote by August 8 or plan to join us at the Board of Elections at 8:30 on July 11.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Early voting begins July 11th. An event is planned for 8:30am on July 11 at the Board of Elections to cast our vote and speak loud and clear. VOTE NO VOTE ON ISSUE 1!
AUGUST ELECTION UPDATE – VOTE NO ON ISSUE 1
In 2022, Ohio State House Republicans attempted to pass a bill which would effectively change the Ohio Constitution from the current passage rate of 50% plus one to 60% plus one for citizen lead ballot initiatives. This effort did not move forward in 2022. However, with the campaign to have Reproductive Freedom become a right under the Ohio Constitution, Republicans have resurfaced their efforts and are calling for a Special August Election to make this change prior to the November election and the vote on Reproductive Freedom. This comes after Republican legislation in late 2022 eliminated special elections due to their cost (20 million taxpayer dollars) and the historic low voter turnout.
This has caused outrage and there is a coordinated bipartisan effort by many organizations and individuals to defeat this issue.
A yes vote in August would make it nearly impossible for citizen-led initiatives to amend the Ohio Constitution to get on the ballot by requiring signature collection in all 88 counties (up from 44) and it would raise the passage rate from 50% plus one to 60% plus one – of all eligible voters! It would eliminate majority rule: 40% of voters would be able to block what the majority wants. Those in power backing August’s Issue 1 think they can slip these changes through in an August Special Election when voter turnout is low. All former governors and all former attorneys general – of BOTH parties – oppose Issue 1. This is a nonpartisan issue.
VOTE NO ON ISSUE 1 CAMPAIGN
THE ATHENS DEMS ARE RISING TO THE OCCASION. PLEASE JOIN US!
We are recruiting and training volunteers to reach voters.
- Canvassing to friendly doors of Democrats who have voted democratic in recent primaries.
- Writing postcards to friendly Democrats.
- Phone banking with voters.
- Promoting and supplying voter registration and absentee ballot applications.
- Writing letters to the editors.
Contact Andrea Reik to join in.
Pick up Vote No buttons and yard signs. Stop by the Dems office or contact Alan Swank to have a sign delivered. As of this publishing date, yard signs and postcards are on order and will be delivered between June 30th and July 3rd. A special e-mail will be sent to you to let you know when they arrive. We’ll need your help to assemble the 230 signs.
Shop and Eat Local at Places that Show a Sign that says Vote No on Issue 1
More and more stores and restaurants in Athens County are putting
Vote NO on Issue 1 signs in their store fronts. We urge you to shop at these places:
- Restaurants/Bars – Salaam, Bagel Street Deli, Brennen’s Deli, Pigskin, Donkey Coffee, Village Bakery and both locations of Court Street Coffee
- Stores – Minute Man Printers, Kismet, Friendly Paws, Import House, Cool Digs, ROAR Vinyl Records and Hyacinth Bean
- Pharmacy – Shrivers
- Farmers Market Vendors – Several vendors are posting a sign in their booths.
Join these establishments and display Vote No on Issue 1 placards and/or provide educational materials in your local establishment. Contact Solveig Spjeldnes to get a window placard delivered to you or pick one up at the office.
It is especially important to get the word out in the outlying communities in Athens County. Folks really don’t know about this election. Contact Andrea Reik for more details.
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AMENDMENT
As a result of the overturning of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme court, early in 2023 a coalition of organizations decided to seek a citizen-led initiated amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would ensure that individuals have legal protections to make their own decisions regarding reproductive health.
All signatures are due to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office by July 5, 2023 and then a determination will be made whether this amendment will be on the ballot in November 2023. In Ohio and Athens County the signature collection has been spearheaded by Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Freedom, Protect Choice (includes ACLU), Planned Parent, the Ohio Democratic Party and others. It is estimated that the coalition in Athens County has raised more than 4000 signatures.
The Athens Dems hosted petition signing at the city pool, Kindred Market, Athens Farmers Market, Little Fish, Uncle Bucks, Jackie O’s, Fur Peace Ranch, Pigskin, Athena Cinema as well as talking to friends, family and neighbors. Athens Rocks!
Now we await the approval to have the Reproductive Rights Amendment on the Ballot in November. Meanwhile we are working tirelessly to Say No on Issue 1 which was engineered to specifically defeat the Reproductive Rights Amendment. Our efforts will not cease until we vote in November. For more details contact at Andrea Reik. We need everyone!
IT’S PARADE SEASON! MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
Contact Patrice Beard if you can attend any of these events. Spread the word and get folks excited to Vote No On Issue One.
- Our next event is July 7 for Glouster First Fridays from 5:30 to 8:00pm. Set up is 4:30.
- On July 15 we will be marching in the Amesville Firemen Festival Parade. Meet across from the Amesville Elementary school on St. Rt. 329 at 5pm. Parade will start at 6pm.
- Wear a Dems T-shirt or a blue or white shirt.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
OFFICE UPDATES
Athens Dem Office Hours: Currently we are open M-W-F from 1:00 to 4:00pm.
When the yard signs arrive, we will keep these hours up until the August 8th election. Come in for yard signs, postcards, buttons and to get trained!
- M-T-W-F 1:00 – 4:00pm
- Saturday 10:00 – Noon
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Neighborhood Campaign Committee – Chair Andrea Reik
- See the photo of Reproductive Freedom petitions that were sent to Columbus. Great Job Volunteers!
- Multiple strategies are being used to defeat Issue 1 which is the #1 priority now. Canvassing, phone banking, distributing yard signs and much more.
- Please volunteer to help. Get Out The Vote. Yes. We need you!
Community Engagement Committee – Chair Patrice Beard
Thanks everyone for coming out to the Coolville Founders Day Parade, Juneteeth Parade, and OU Pride Parade and Field Day. Looking forward to seeing you at Glouster First Fridays and the Amesville Fireman’s Parade and festival in July. We need to get out the word about defeating Issue 1 in the August Special Election!
Communications Committee – Chair Ashley Sarver
Welcome Ashley Sarver who is our new Communications Committee chair. Ashley is the founder, CEO, and Head of School at Eclipse Academy. Lauren Dikis, our outgoing chair, will continue to help out. We also thank Suzanne Perry for taking on the newsletter and Bonnie Perry, both experienced in communications, for rounding out our team of new committee volunteers. In addition, we have a new intern, the OU College Dem president, Julianna Rittenberg. She is busy creating and posting social media (including TikTok videos) to support the Vote No on Issue 1 campaign. Several new ideas are in the works that you will hear more about soon. Solveig Spjeldnes, who served as the interim chair will be gradually transitioning off the committee.
Community Service Committee – Chair Janalee Stock
We need all hands on deck to defeat Issue 1 in August. The basic tenet of democracy, which is majority rule, is at stake. Many people are still totally unaware of this critical election so Janalee is asking volunteers who often have helped with highway clean-up and other community service activities to step up to defeat Issue 1 instead. She’ll be back in touch after August 8th.
Finance and Fundraising Committee – Chair Kate McGuckin
Kate did a fantastic job as usual getting donations for the party this spring. More plans are underway.
Candidate Recruitment and Training Committee – Chair Steve Patterson
The committee is fortunate to welcome Athens Mayor Steve Patterson as chair and new member Michael Wood who is running for city council. He owns ROAR Vinyl Records in uptown Athens and has political IT experience. Welcome Steve and Michael. Also, a big thank you to Roxanne Groff for her many years of strong service chairing the Committee.
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LOCAL PARTY
We thank everyone who has financially supported the ACDP in the past. The fight to defend democracy and turn Ohio blue is far from over. If you have not donated recently to the ACDP, and have the means to do so, please donate today.