Election Day is THIS Tuesday! |
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For the first time in 16 years, residents will be voting to elect a new leader of the City of Cleveland on Tuesday, Nov. 2. If you live in Cleveland, make sure you have a plan to vote. This may mean voting early at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, voting on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 2) at your polling location or if have a vote-by-mail ballot, dropping off a completed ballot at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections from now until 7:30PM on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 2).
As a reminder, if you vote early in-person or on election day, you will need to bring one of the following identification options. And you’ll want to keep your candidate-related clothing and buttons at home. Ohio law bans the wearing of any clothing that advocates for or against a candidate.
Need a ride to the polls? Cleveland Votes has partnered with RideShare2Vote to offer free rides now through election day! If you are interested in requesting a free ride or to volunteer as a driver please contact RideShare2Vote by calling 1.888.858.3421 or email at [email protected].
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On the Issues: Issue 24, Citizens for a Safer Cleveland |
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City Club's Examining Issue 24 Forum
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Issue 24, also known as Citizens for A Safer Cleveland, is on the November ballot for Cleveland residents. Issue 24 would amend the Cleveland City Charter to require extensive citizen oversight over the Cleveland Police Department. As the charter would lead to major changes within how the department operates, it has become one of the most discussed issues in the Mayoral election.
Candidate Justin Bibb has expressed his support for it as he believes that we “must change the culture” of the Cleveland Police Department, while candidate and City Council President Kevin Kelley is opposed due to concerns about the committee’s authority and the amendments “many flaws.” Learn more about what Issue 24 would mean for policing in Cleveland by watching the City Club of Cleveland’s recent Friday Forum Examining Issue 24.
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Early Vote Celebration at Men's Shelter |
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On Wednesday, October 27, LMM’s Advocacy Department hosted an Early Vote celebration at The Men’s Shelter at 2100. Rides to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections were provided for residents interested in voting early in the Cleveland Mayoral Election. For those who were not registered to vote in this election, voter registration forms were made available. More than 70 people attended the event and nearly 200 pairs of socks, gloves, and hats, gifted. This effort was made possible with the support of the ClevelandVotes Equitable Civic Engagement grant program. |
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LMM Supports Ohio Senate Bill 158 |
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Past evictions make finding future housing nearly impossible. This is because landlords are often hesitant to rent to a housing applicant with a prior eviction, and while evictions are not listed on a credit report, being sent to collections over a related debt can hurt your credit. The Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing last week on Senate Bill 158, legislation that would allow certain evictions to be expunged after three years.
This bi-partisan legislation, would provide major relief to renters facing housing insecurity and limit the number of individuals who could end up in emergency shelter because of their past financial challenges. This legislation would help thousands of renters across Ohio, including many of the individuals LMM serves. Read Vice President of Housing & Shelter Mike Sering’s testimony in support of this legislation here!
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Engaging Civically through PB CLE |
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The Participatory Budgeting in Action event last Saturday, October 23, hosted by Participatory Budgeting CLE (PB CLE), provided community members and supporters of participatory budgeting the opportunity to come together for food, music and to practice the participatory budgeting process. Community Engagement Coordinator Gloria Craig represented LMM at the event, which focused on what the City should do with the American Rescue Plan Act dollars being allocated from the Biden Administration. To learn more about participatory budgeting click here.
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Sign on to the #RentersRightsDay1 Campaign |
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It is essential that the city’s next leader take major strides to end homelessness, increase the availability of affordable housing, and reduce discrimination in the housing search process. Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, in partnership with several housing advocacy organizations, is asking the next mayor of Cleveland to Protect Cleveland Renters on Day One. This includes introducing legislation that would end Source of Income discrimination and advance Pay-to-Stay protections and establishing a group to develop a comprehensive Renter Bill of Rights. Sign on to this petition to show the next Mayor of Cleveland that the community supports renter rights!
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