FROM OUR CHAIR, SEAN PARSONS
Greetings Athens County Democrats!
The weather is getting warmer and things are starting to heat up for Democrats in 2024. As you read through our newsletter I want to highlight a few things:
- Early voting is underway for the 2024 Primary election, with election day on March 19. Though the ballot isn’t “busy” necessarily, please make a plan to show your support for our candidates and make your voice heard!
- We hope you can join us TOMORROW on Sunday, March 3 at Little Fish, from 1 – 3 pm, for this year’s Volunteer Kickoff! Our friend Rob Jarvis will be speaking, hear from many of our candidates, and enjoy food and friendship as we work on our volunteer plans for 2024. We certainly hope you can join us. Our 2024 candidates are hard at work already and together we can all have another successful year!
–– Sean
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
March 2 (Tonight!) – Jerrad Christian Fundraiser
Join in support TONIGHT, March 2, from 7 – 9 pm at Granville Brewing Co. at 5371 Columbus Rd., Granville, Ohio. Enjoy free drinks and great conversation with Jerrad Christian, our candidate for US Congress! More details here: https://fb.me/e/1mruCi93E
March 3 – Volunteer Kickoff Meeting
Calling all volunteers who can canvass, phone bank, and more in 2024 for our various Democratic candidates and initiatives. From 1 – 3 pm at Little Fish – see “Volunteer Opportunities” below for details.
March 15 – Wenda Sheard Meet-and-Greet
Join at the Rocky Boots Community Room in Nelsonville at 10 am for an informal meet-and-greet with Wenda Sheard, our candidate for the Ohio House 94th district. Enjoy coffee and cookies!
March 19 – Primary Election Day
Polls will be open from 6:30 am – 7:30 pm.
March 24 – Wenda Sheard Campaign Kickoff & Fundraiser Luncheon
Celebrate with Wenda over lunch at Restaurant Salaam in Athens, at 12:30 – 2:30 pm. This is the official Athens County kickoff event of her campaign for the Ohio House 94th district. To RSVP text (740) 818-1845.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
2024 Volunteer Kickoff Meeting
Join us TOMORROW on Sunday, March 3 from 1 – 3 pm at Little Fish Brewery (8675 Armitage Rd, Athens) for our inaugural volunteer meeting in preparation for the 2024 election cycle. Let’s come together to develop a plan of action for 2024: from canvassing and voter registration, to letters to the editor, and TikTok. What can you bring?
The back room is reserved for our group; food provided by ACDP and a cash bar. In addition to learning about 2024 volunteer opportunities, meet your Democratic candidates for various offices and hear other inspiring speakers.
This year’s November election is vital to our democracy with the presidency at stake, as well as the US Senate and House, the Ohio Senate and House, the Ohio Supreme Court, and of course local races. And if all goes well, we’ll vote on the Citizens Not Politicians amendment to end political gerrymandering in Ohio.
Please get involved. We need your help now more than ever. To learn more or RSVP for the event email info@athensdems.org.
Calling All Volunteer Ideas!
Do you have an idea for a project you’d like to see our local Democrats participate in? Contact Janalee Stock at janalees@gmail.com.
CITIZENS NOT POLITICIANS
PROPOSED STATE AMENDMENT
As we shared in last month’s newsletter, Ohio Democrats have joined with a statewide coalition of organizations, including the ACLU and the League of Women Voters, to stop political gerrymandering in Ohio. A proposed state amendment would change the process for the redistricting of voting districts; instead of being drawn by politicians within their political parties, the process would establish a 15-member redistricting committee without politicians, family members of politicians or lobbyists. This proposed amendment has been named Citizens Not Politicians.
To learn more about this amendment, visit https://www.citizensnotpoliticians.org/petition/.
Currently signatures of Ohio voters are being collected, and the CNP campaign must collect just under 420,000 certified voters throughout the state by July of 2024. Once signatures are collected and certified, the proposed amendment would be on the ballot in Ohio on November 5th.
Those who wish to sign the Citizens Not Politicians can come to the Athens Dems Office on Wednesdays, 1 – 4 pm. If you’re interested in collecting signatures for the petition, contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com or Solveig Spjeldnes at solveigsp@gmail.com.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
This year’s theme, “Women who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” recognizes women’s advocacy as a source of change that has moved society forward.
Look for the Athens Dems’ social media posts throughout the month for vignettes on women who have shaped the world and inspire others through their actions.
NEW WINDOW
AT ATHENS DEMS OFFICE
Many thanks to Kathy Kinsner for creating our wonderful new window, raising awareness of the Citizens Not Politicians amendment!
OFFICE HOURS
The Athens County Democratic Party office will be open Wednesdays 1 – 4 pm. We’ll expand hours soon, and will send out another announcement then.
Come by the office to sign the Citizens Not Politicians proposed amendment!
Also in-office, ready for pick up, are yard signs for Senator Sherrod Brown, as well as for Wenda Sheard for Ohio House 94th District.
Visit us at 74 E State St, near the intersection of Stimson Ave uptown. This is a community space, hospitable to large gatherings; to use the office for a meeting, contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com.
ACDP COMMITTEE UPDATES
Communication Committee –– Chair, Ashley Sarver
It’s all hands on deck as we prepare for our Volunteer Kickoff Meeting this Sunday, March 3 at Little Fish – see “Volunteer Opportunities” above for details. Please RSVP, spread the word, and bring a friend or several!
Neighborhood Campaign Committee –– Chair, Andrea Reik
The Neighborhood Committee is expanding with the development of ongoing teams to coordinate the Athens Dems local election campaign activities. Under the umbrella of the Neighborhood Committee are teams for volunteer recruitment/training/support, voter registration, VoteBuilder data management, canvassing, community education, postcards, and managing the Athens Dems office.
Thanks to those who have already volunteered to lead teams! Doug Debrick will lead the VoteBuilder Team, Kathy Kinsner the Community Education Team, Solveig Spjeldnes the Voter Registration & Community Events Team, Janalee Stock the Canvassing Team, and Lisa Eliason the Postcards Team.
We still need a few more team leaders, and volunteers to serve on all these teams! Would you like to learn more and get more involved? Do you want to meet fellow Athens Dems? Then join us at the Kickoff Volunteer Kickoff Meeting this Sunday, March 3!
Community Education Team –– Leader, Kathy Kinsner
Please join us in welcoming Kathy Kinsner to her new post as Leader of the Community Education Team, which has been formed (within the Neighborhood Committee) to help educate voters on issues, candidates, and more – by writing letters to the editor, posts for our social media, articles in the ACDP newsletter (like last month’s piece on gerrymandering), and other avenues.
From Kathy: We’re working on an Info Guide for canvassers –– background on topics likely to come up when going door to door. Looking forward to connecting with volunteers ready to jump into writing letters to the editor –– lots of outlets and issues to cover in the next 8 months! To get involved and use your writing talent for good, please join us at our Volunteer Kickoff Meeting this Sunday; otherwise please contact Kathy Kinsner at KSKinsner@gmail.com.
Community Service Committee –– Chair, Janalee Stock
Come hell or high water (or snow) people show up when they care. The Dow Lake litter pick up was impossible with a thick layer of snow blanketing the ground the morning of our event. Luckily we had a plan B, and OU Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors collected litter close to the Athens Public Library.
Let’s keep that same spirit of showing up when it comes to voting! I’ll never forget an Ames township resident who shared that it had flooded on Election Day years ago making it extra hard to vote after his long work day. He persisted, taking the “long way” to get to Amesville, and he recounted that the Mayor won by one vote that year! Come hell, high water, or snow, never think you can’t make a difference!
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
Was this newsletter forwarded to you?
Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter to learn about the issues and upcoming events, and to support efforts to elect Democrats up and down the ballot!
Sign up here: https://athensdems.org/stay-connected/
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.