Tue 10/10
On November 7 voters across Ohio will be asked to weigh in on two issues: an constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights (Issue 1) and a bill legalizing recreational marijuana (Issue 2). If you want to have a say, you need to be registered to vote by Tuesday October 10. In-person early voting starts on Wednesday October 11 and October 31 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot, which must be postmarked by November 6. There are many local elections for mayor and city council as well.
Don’t miss this election. Even though it’s an off-off year, everything is at stake for Ohio women: their lives, their futures, their freedom. With most Ohioans agreeing with the reproductive freedoms laid out in Issue 1, the opposition — the laughably named “Protect Ohio Women” and Ohio Right to Life — have resorted to flat-out lies about aborting nine-month babies after birth (the amendment specifies no restrictions after viability, about 20-24 weeks) and allowing sex-reassignment surgeries for minors without parental permission (not covered in the issue and not a real thing anyway). And Secretary of State Frank Larose, our top elections official who calls himself an “unbiased referee” of elections, wrote the misleading and omissive language that voters will see on the ballot.
As for the marijuana issue, many of its opponents are promoting “Reefer Madness” scare tactics that became the butt of jokes back in the 60s. Others are more low-key, suggesting that marijuana sometimes leads to addiction but the issue’s very name makes their arguments empty: “regulate marijuana like alcohol.” Any ill effects of marijuana generally are many times worse for alcohol.
Don’t let a minority decide these issues. Make sure you are registered— and vote! Google your county and “board of elections” to get full information.
cuyahoga county board of elections