FROM OUR CHAIR, LAUREN DIKIS
Hi All,
Wow! This month has been busy and full of news!
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be on the Ohio ballot this November. The DNC is ensuring that the OH GOP can’t play any more dirty tricks by conducting a virtual roll call.
Thank you to everyone who worked hard to collect signatures for the Citizens Not Politicians redistricting ballot initiative. When redistricting reform is on the ballot in November, it will be thanks to the hard work of many volunteers who helped make it happen.
Welcome to our Organizing for Ohio (Ohio Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign) staff Autymn and Tyler. You may hear from them about upcoming opportunities to get involved or see them at the headquarters. Please say hi and make them both feel welcome! Our great Neighborhood Campaign Committee is also still hard at work and helping to keep us all informed and involved.
Our first Drinking Liberally happy hour was a great success! Thanks to Jackie O’s Taproom for hosting us. Our next one will be Thursday, June 27 from 5 – 7 pm, location TBA.
I hope to see you all at our next central and exec meeting. We will be meeting Wednesday, June 26 at the Athens Municipal Building at 5:30 pm. (Wednesday, June 19 is Juneteenth, so we have postponed a week!)
– Lauren
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
June 2 – Canvassing in Athens County
At 1 pm OR 4 pm, stop by the Dem office to canvass. Go door-to-door this weekend in support of Democratic candidates and issues! See “Volunteer Opportunities” below for details.
June 7 – Glouster First Friday with Athens Dems
Represent Democratic values by showing up with our Athens Dems group. Bring lawn chairs, listen to performers, and check out local vendors.
June 8 – Athens Pride Parade
Meet the Athens Dems between 10:15 – 10:30 am at Baker Center where the parade begins; the parade starts at 11 am. Tony Brooks will be the point person. Wear your best Pride gear!
June 8 – Coolville Founders Day Parade
Meet at Main Street between 9 – 9:15 am to hand out flags; the parade begins at 10 am. Look for an old white mechanic building where we’ll meet; Patrice Beard will be the point person. Wear an Athens Dems Shirt or a white or blue shirt. Water will be provided. Wenda Sheard and volunteers will have a “Here to Listen” pop-up canopy there all day with extra chairs; stop by anytime until 4 pm.
June 9 – Athens Pride Pool Party
Join the Athens Dems at the Athens City Pool from 6 – 8 pm to rally behind voter registration, the Citizens Not Politicians anti-gerrymandering petition, and more.
June 13 – Canvassing Training: Environment, Education & the Economy
June’s canvassing training, 5:30 – 7 pm at the Dems Office (and via Zoom), will be on the topics,”The 3E’s: Environment (Roxanne Groff), Education (Dana Carlson), and the Economy (John Hansen)”.
June 13 – VoteBuilder Training
Like working with data? Get trained to help us manage data around canvassing, voter outreach, and more. Doug Debrick will lead the training at the Athens Dem office at 7 pm, right after the Canvassing Training session. RSVP with Doug at dgdebrick@gmail.com.
June 15 – Litter Pick Up
Join us at 8:30 am for a litter pick up on Rt 550. The make-up rain date, if relevant, will be the same time on Sunday, June 16. If you’d like to join our Gold Star team please contact janalees@gmail.com as there is a short safety video you must watch first.
June 15 – Boogie on the Bricks
Join the Athens Dems booth in uptown Athens for an hour shift anytime between 12 – 7 pm. Contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to sign up.
June 22 – OU Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate Juneteenth with the Athens Dems from 3 – 6 pm. We’re seeking volunteers to help represent the party; contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to learn more or get involved.
June 26 – ACDP Central & Executive Committee Meeting
5:30 pm at the Athens City Municipal Building.
June 27 – Drinking Liberally (Happy Hour)
Location TBA from 5 – 7 pm.
July 20 – Amesville Fireman Festival & Parade
August 2 – Glouster First Friday with Athens Dems
August 5 – 10 – Athens County Fair
Join Democratic candidates and special guests at the Athens Dems fair booth!
August 17 – Parade of the Hills
OHIO HB 1 & HB 271:
CORRUPTION WATCH
The GOP leadership does it again! On Thursday, May 31, 2024, the Ohio House and Senate passed HB 1 and HB 271 in a quick special session that, if DeWine signs them, would restrict citizen initiatives including redistricting reform. DeWine claims that his purpose is to address a glitch in our Ohio system preventing Joe Biden from appearing on the Ohio ballot. The Democratic Party fixed the problem, so no special session or bill was needed.
The Ohio GOP leadership used the opportunity to enact laws claiming to stop foreign donations despite the fact that the Ohio Elections Commission reports that is already illegal. Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said HB 1 and HB 271 would provide enforcement, but actually they will switch enforcement from the nonpartisan Ethics Commission to the partisan Attorney General (R) Dave Yost. His office will now investigate alleged foreign contributions — including being allowed to fly internationally to question people, according to the Democrats.
Different from the federal definition, the law will designate green card holders as foreign nationals, while in fact they are lawful permanent residents. This most likely will be challenged legally.
Democrats say that these bills arose because Republicans are just mad that they were outraised (and outvoted) on the abortion rights amendment last year.
Stay tuned.
Learn more here: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/05/31/ohio-senate-approves-biden-ballot-fix-and-foreign-influence-legislation/
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Canvassing
Ohio has a strong campaign to re-elect Sherrod Brown and all Dems up and down the ballot. During this election cycle the Coordinated campaign has paid staff to lead the statewide campaign throughout Ohio. The SE Ohio Regional Director is Autymn Shepherd; she will be covering 20 SE Ohio counties and is housed in the Athens Dem office. Autumn can be reached at ashepherd@ohiodems.org. There is also a Field Organizer, Tyler Sydenstricker, who is housed in the Athens Dem office. Tyler is covering Athens and Washington counties primarily. Tyler will be reaching out to dems to volunteer to canvass.
This weekend, June 1 and 2, is the first canvass in Athens. Either day, stop by the Dem office at 1 pm OR 4 pm to begin your canvass. Volunteers Andrea Reik and Doug Debrick are operating the canvass to allow Tyler and Autymn to focus on other counties.
Although Andrea and Doug are operating the canvass, those interested in canvassing should contact Tyler at tsydenstricker@ohiodems.org to sign up.
Canvassing Training
Our first canvassing training session was well attended! Zoom recordings, of each presenter, can be accessed here:
- Reproductive Rights by Susan Quinn (12:41): https://youtu.be/JOela0dWszo
- Immigration by John Schmieding (7:08): https://youtu.be/wbxbVMWuYfY
- Gun Rights by Dana Carlson (17:24): https://youtu.be/3kmLbXEV94Y
Another canvassing training will be held on June 13, 5:30 – 7 pm, at the Dems Office (and via Zoom), on the topics,”The 3E’s: Environment (Roxanne Groff), Education (Dana Carlson), and the Economy (John Hansen)”. From 5:30 – 6 pm you can sign in, socialize, and enjoy some pizza, while the education portion will begin promptly at 6 pm. A Zoom link will be sent out on 6/12 for those accessing virtually. If you attended the last session you will automatically be included, otherwise RSVP to janalees@gmail.com.
Janalee is still taking feedback for third-session topics. Thus far gerrymandering has risen to the top of concerns we anticipate will be on our neighbors’ minds when we knock on doors.
Pictured below is what rolled up to our door at our first training session! Talk about carrying the message! We loved the Scioto County Chairman’s yellow truck, and the enthusiasm that Tom Yeager radiates. Tom, we hope to see you again!
VoteBuilder (VB)
Like to work with data? This data system uses voter registration records to assist in reaching Democratic and independent voters to promote voting, candidates, and issues. Locally, we’ll use VoteBuilder to develop canvassing routes, as well as lists for phone banking and sending postcards.
For our Athens County campaign, four volunteers have completed the basic VoteBuilder training and have been approved to use Votebuilder: to help with cutting turfs, making lists for sending postcards, and entering canvassing results from paper copies.
Another training session for cutting turfs and other functions will be offered June 13 at the Dems office at 7 pm, after the Canvassing training. If you are interested in helping with VoteBuilder or have a question, contact Doug Debrick at dgdebrick@gmail.com.
Community Education
This team is working with the canvassing team to develop a canvass packet for volunteers which will provide them with updates on current issues, as well as guidance on how to talk with voters. Reach out to Team Chair Kathy Kinsner at bigapplekk@aol.com to get involved; we’re always looking for writers and editors!
In addition to canvass packets, Kathy has developed information sheets for niche audiences, most recently “Soundbites for Bartenders”. Contact Kathy to request talking points customized for your crowd!
Kathy is also preparing video clips from David Pepper’s talk, as well as clips of Ohio Supreme Court candidates who spoke in Athens. These clips will be shared on social media and through our newsletter, very soon.
Voter Registration
The Voter Registration Team will be scheduling upcoming events for voter registration –– stay tuned! If interested in helping to register voters, contact Solveig Spjeldnes at solveigsp@gmail.com.
Postcards
Contact Lisa Eliason at eliason.lisa.2128@gmail.com for more information about our upcoming postcard writing projects.
OFFICE HOURS
In June, the Athens County Democratic Party office will be open Mondays and Wednesdays 1 – 4 pm. On weekend days that we’re canvassing, the office will be open as well.
Visit us at 74 E State St, near the intersection of Stimson Ave uptown.
CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
FROM WENDA SHEARD,
94TH OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT CANDIDATE
I’m happy to report I’ve been endorsed by the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, and the Parkersburg-Marietta Building & Construction Trades Council. Another major organization will be announcing their endorsement of me on June 4th. Additionally, I’ve been endorsed by the Meigs, Washington, and Athens Democratic Parties, and I’ve been chosen to participate in an Ohio LEAD program with other candidates.
I’ve heard loud and clear from experts that I *NEED* to *ASK* for *HELP*. Democracy is not a solo sport.
Please help:
- I need volunteers to organize events at their homes or backyards –– even with 6 – 10 people, any people, including independents, those who don’t vote often (yet), and young adults.
- We’ll soon finalize literature cards, campaign buttons, and stickers. How many might you be willing to wear and distribute?
- If you’re willing to wear my campaign T-shirt around the district, both with and without me, please let me know your T-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL).
- I need volunteers to join me at these events:
- Friday June 7 in Glouster, 6 – 8 pm, sitting and wearing T-shirts under my 10’x10′ “Here to Listen” pop-up canopy.
- Saturday June 8 in Coolville, any hours 10 am – 4 pm, sitting and wearing T-shirts under the “Here to Listen” canopy and maybe in the morning parade.
- Saturday June 8 in Athens, wearing campaign T-shirts with my surrogates to march in the 11 am PRIDE parade with the Athens Democrats while I’m in Coolville.
To help: Text 740-818-1845 or email FriendsofWendaSheard@gmail.com
To donate: Mail checks to Friends of Wenda Sheard, 13499 Dutch Creek Road, Athens, Ohio 45701, or online at ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-wenda-sheard-1
ACDP COMMITTEE UPDATES
Neighborhood Campaign Committee –– Chair, Andrea Reik
The Athens Dems Neighborhood Campaign Committee works on activities that support local, state, and federal political elections, campaigns, and voter registration. This committee is made up of various teams which focus on canvassing, data systems, voter registration, education on issues, postcards, managing the Athens Dem office, as well as special projects.
We need everyone to get involved in this election –– every action makes a difference. See the “Volunteer Opportunities” section above for ways to get involved, this month with a focus on canvassing. To get involved contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com.
Update on Citizens Not Politicians Statewide (CNP) Amendment
This special project is a collaborative effort of many state organizations to stop political gerrymandering in Ohio. We have been circulating petitions among voters to obtain the needed 413,000 signatures, which are due by July 3, 2024. It is anticipated that the Ohio Secretary of State will approve this proposed amendment by mid July; with this approval, the CNP amendment will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
The petitions circulated by the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) were due by May 31. Yesterday we returned our petitions. Thanks to all our volunteers who collected signatures, we submitted 88 petitions with signatures totalling over 1,400 voters! Thanks to all who participated!
Community Service Committee –– Chair, Janalee Stock
Please join our litter pick up event on Saturday, June 15th –– see the calendar section above for details.
Community Events Committee –– Chair, Patrice Beard
Parade season has begun! We’re seeking volunteers to join the Athens Dems by walking in parades, representing at our booths, wearing Dems T-shirts (or a plain white or blue shirt), offering use of their vehicles for parades, bringing homemade signs to carry in parades, or carrying our usual Dems banner. To get involved, email Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com.
See the calendar section above, or the graphic below, for a full listing of parades in 2024.
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DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL PARTY
We thank everyone who has financially supported the Athens County Democratic Party 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.