FROM OUR CHAIR, LAUREN DIKIS
As I’m sure you all are aware, Tuesday is Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM. Any absentee ballots must be turned in to the Board of Elections or their drop box by 7:30 PM on Election Day.
If you have not yet signed up to volunteer on Election Day and you have even an hour to help, please contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com or (740) 591-1736, or Janalee Stock at (740) 707-1531 or janalees@gmail.com.
If you, or any voter you know, has any challenges on Election Day we wanted to share two resources available:
Call the Ohio Democratic Party Voter Hotline:
1-844-OH-I-VOTE
1-844-644-8683
Call or text the League of Women Voters’ Voter Hotline:
1-866-OUR VOTE
1-866-687-8683
And finally, please join fellow Athens County Democrats on Election Night at The Pigskin after polls close at 7:30 PM to watch results come in. Light refreshments will be provided, cash bar.
– Lauren Dikis
EXPANDED OFFICE HOURS
The Athens County Democratic Party office is open seven days a week: Monday through Friday 1 – 5 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays 1 – 4 PM.
If the United States flag is flying, we are open! Visit us at 74 E. State St, near the intersection of Stimson Ave, uptown.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Tuesday, November 5 – Election Day!
The polls are open on Tuesday from 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM. Remember to bring your ID! See below to find your polling place.
November 5 – Election Results Viewing at The Pigskin
Tuesday evening, after polls close at 7:30 PM, join the Athens County Dems at The Pigskin in uptown Athens (38 N. Court St.) as election results come in.
No Central-Exec Meeting in November
There will not be a Central-Exec meeting in November. Stay tuned for the December meeting date, adjacent to a holiday happy hour.
VOTE YES ON ISSUE 1:
END GERRYMANDERING IN OHIO
Right now in Ohio, politicians and lobbyists manipulate voting districts to protect their interests and guarantee their re-election. As a result, incumbents running for re-election almost never lose. In other words, we let politicians choose their voters.
The Citizens Not Politicians (CNP) Amendment bans lobbyists and politicians from the process and instead empowers voters to choose their politicians. Restore power to where it belongs: with citizens, not politicians. Over 700,000 Ohio citizens signed petitions to place this amendment on the ballot in November. Now it is time for all Ohioans to Vote YES on Issue 1 to end political gerrymandering.
The CNP would create the 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of Democratic, Republican, and Independent citizens who broadly represent the different geographic areas and demographics of the state –– and would:
- Ban current or former politicians, political party officials and lobbyists from sitting on the Commission.
- Require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or individual politician.
- Require the commission to operate under an open and independent process.
Current elected officials in Columbus are worried about the passage of this state amendment and are attempting to undermine it. False information is circulating, and most concerning is the ballot language for Issue 1, which is intentionally misleading to confuse voters.
In September 2023, Athens County experienced first-hand the blatant gerrymandering, as part of the redistricting commission. Prior to the Commissioner’s action, Athens County was in the Ohio House 94th District, but with their vote, Athens County is in two different districts: Ohio House Districts 94 and 95. Athens City voters now vote in the 95th District, which goes beyond SE Ohio into other counties including Harrison and Guernsey Counties. Why, you ask? To dilute the Democratic votes in the 94th District.
Voters should select their officials, instead of politicians selecting their voters.
Go to www.citizensnotpoliticians.org to learn more!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Canvassing & Phone Banking
We will be canvassing and phone banking every day between now and the closing of the polls on November 5. We’re calling and knocking on Democrats’ doors to ensure they go vote, or turn in their absentee ballots, and we’re talking about Yes on Issue 1. Contact Mieke Riddlebarger at mriddlebarger@ohiodems.org.
At the Polls on Election Day
On election day, volunteers will be standing outside of some polling locations in the county. We will have volunteers at all Athens City Polling places, as well as two Nelsonville sites on Election Day. Two hour shifts are still open. Contact Janalee Stock at janalees@gmail.com ASAP to get your ideal location and time! We’ll be handing out ballot cards and answering questions on Issue 1 beginning at 6:30 AM – poll closing at 7:30 PM.
FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE
Find your polling place (where to go to vote): https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/athens/pollfinder.aspx#
The Athens County Board of Elections announced polling location moves for Tuesday’s Election Day (per https://www.boe.ohio.gov/athens/):
Nelsonville Public Library Precincts (Nelsonville 1 and Nelsonville 2)
Has been moved to:
Athens County Community Cares Resource Center located at:
10 West Washington Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764 (formerly Fruth Pharmacy)
Wesleyan Church Precincts (Nelsonville 3 and Nelsonville 4)
Has been moved to:
Athens County Community Cares Resource Center located at:
10 West Washington Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764 (formerly Fruth Pharmacy)
Carthage Township Volunteer Fire Department Precinct (Rome Township)
Has been moved to:
Federal Hocking Middle School located at:
8461 State Route 144, Stewart, OH 45778
Carthage Township Precinct will remain at the:
Carthage Volunteer Fire Department located at:
21200 Holly Lane, Guysville, OH 45735
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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.