a. Voters' Guide Updated
LWVO has updated the state ballot issue summaries on
Vote411 and
the LWVO website to include new groups that have come out in opposition to Issue 1 and explain the attorney fees issue related to Issue 2.
b.
LWVO Neutral on Issue 2
A message from Alison Ricker and Mary Kirtz Van Nortwick, LWVO Co-Presidents:
We have had inquiries about the LWVO board's decision to remain neutral on Issue 2 and would like to respond to all of our membership. This decision was reached with some reluctance, since we recognized there was confusion and strong feelings on both sides of the issue.
We searched the existing LWV state and national positions on health care related issues, and could find nothing that gave a strong basis for taking a position. Since LWV, at all levels, only takes positions after careful study and consensus across the membership, we were unable to declare either support or opposition to Issue 2, hence our statement of neutrality.
2. Voter Purge Case
3. Fair Districts Campaign Updates
We're excited to share news of the redistricting effort advancing in leaps and bounds on multiple fronts, driving exposure and attention toward our movement for fair districts and fair elections.
The legislature has finally responded to our calls for reform, establishing a bipartisan, four-member
legislative working group examining congressional redistricting. That group announced two sessions to hear testimony on the issue, one of which took place Thursday, October 26.
4. State Legislature News
The Ohio General Assembly is well into the swing of regular session, meaning that as usual there are lots of issues to keep an eye on. Here is some of the latest activity of which to be aware:
- The LWVO advocacy team is carefully watching Senate Bill 21, which would allow county boards of elections to reduce the number of poll workers required at polling locations that use electronic pollbooks. In committee, LWVO has recommended adding a provision to write into law a requirement that BOEs create election administration plans (EAPs) to plan what resources will be needed and make sure contingencies are fully considered. These EAPs originated as part of the settlement of a 2005 lawsuit filed by LWVO alleging serious deficiencies in election administration across Ohio, and though BOEs have found these plans helpful and the Secretary of State has continued to require them after the settlement expired, the requirement has never been established in statute.
- On October 24, the House passed HB 142 which would effectively eliminate the requirement that concealed carry weapon holders notify law enforcement of firearms in their possession. Opposed by gun safety groups and representatives of law enforcement, the bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
- House Bill 214, to ban abortion on the basis of a prenatal diagnosis or potential diagnosis of Down Syndrome, a move opposed by reproductive rights groups, doctors, and disability advocates, was voted out of committee in the House, putting it in a position to be approved by the full House at any time. The Senate version, SB 164, has had three hearings, though a similar law in Indiana was recently struck down by a federal judge.
- Bills proposing ratepayer subsidies for old, potentially unsafe nuclear plants - once rumored to be dead in committee - have been revived, with a new proposal in the House and more hearings in the Senate.
- Also making a reappearance is a plan to dismantle Ohio's renewable energy standards similar to one vetoed by Governor Kasich during lame duck in December 2016. The governor has not said whether he would veto the most recent legislation, which has passed the House and now had three Senate committee hearings.
5. 2017 Voter Q&A Graphic Series
To help voters stay informed about Ohio's election rules and procedures, LWV Ohio updated our Voter Q&A infographic series for 2017. The whole series has been uploaded to LWV Ohio's Facebook album
here. Please feel free to share the Q&As on your League's website and social media accounts, as well as your own.
6. Updates from LWVUS
a. Reminder: Tax Filings Due November 15
IRS 990N tax filings are due the 15th day of the 5th month following the end of the fiscal year. If your League's (or education fund's) fiscal year ended on June 30, then your filing is due on November 15. More information about how to file is available
here
.
b. Countdown to Convention! June 28 - July 1, 2018 in Chicago
2018 is a national Convention year, and planning has begun to make this an event you won't want to miss. Delegates from Leagues across the country will convene to vote on national items such as program and budget, elect board members and more for the 2018-2020 biennium.
Click here to see the First Call to Convention.
c. LWV Photo Database
We are excited to introduce a new Flickr site as an image resource to Leagues. We are in the process of uploading the best photos from League events around the nation, as well as a selection of historical images and social media graphics.
Take a look here. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your League photos for consideration, please email them to
communications@lwv.org.
d. Update Your Membership Rosters
Please remember to make any changes to your League's leadership in the member database (CRM). It is essential that this information is diligently updated and kept current so that we have the most up-to-date leadership contact information in order to quickly communicate important information. Questions? Contact
rostersupport@lwv.org.
7. All-Member Conference Call for November
Since the first Tuesday in November is Election Day, please join us for our
RESCHEDULED November all-member conference call on
Tuesday, November 14, 12-1 pm.
Topics: Election Season Debrief & Redistricting News
CALL-IN NUMBER: 866-740-1260
PIN: 4691505#
The recording of the all-member call will be available in the
LWVO online member area following the call until the end of the month. Please note that the call recording is intended for LWV members and guests (just like the calls) and, therefore, should not be shared with anyone outside the League family. Thank you.
8. Fundraising Tip of the Month
"Mom, will you please read me a story?"
From the moment we were young, we all loved hearing a really good story. Your donors are no different! Donors LOVE to hear stories - stories about how their donations have been and will be used, stories about how their contribution made a difference in lives of others!
What is your League story? How has your local league made a difference in your community? How has your local league changed lives? As we near the End of Year Fundraising Campaigns - write your story! And then share it... with everyone! Share it with your local media outlets, share it on social media, share it through the mail, tell your friends and family.
If you need assistance or ideas, please contact LWVO Development Director Sherry Rose at
srose@lwvohio.org.
9. Time is running out for Pass-Thru Grant Funds - Apply today
!
LWVO is excited to be able to offer several pass-thru grant opportunities to local Leagues and At-Large Units. Applications must be received by November 15 to be eligible for this round of grants.
a.
Women's Voices - Thanks to a grant from the Women's Fund of Central Ohio, we are able to continue the Women's Voices: Training the Next Generation of Women Leaders project. In response to feedback from local Leagues, we are adjusting the program to run over the school year instead of the calendar year to accommodate arrangements with local schools and other youth group partnerships.
Click here for the application form.
b. Voter Participation Forums
- Thanks to a grant from the national LWV Public Advocacy for Voter Participation project, we are glad to announce pass-through funds for local Leagues and At-Large Units to hold forums based on the Where Have All The Voters Gone? report on low voter participation from the National Issues Forum Institute. With the election of a new Ohio Secretary of State on the minds of many voters next year, this is a great opportunity to start dialogue and build awareness of issues surrounding voting.
Click here for the application form.