“We started our work in the spring, holding roundtables to
learn about what was working -- and what isn’t working -- in
minority communities across the state,” said McGuire.
“Sometimes there were some tough things we needed to hear,
but that’s what this was all about. Then we took what we
heard and what we learned, and we turned that into an action
plan, not just for 2018, but for 2019 and beyond, too.
That’s because we can’t just keep showing up during an
election year and asking for someone’s vote; we have to
build and rebuild relationships, and we need to be present
365 days a year, whether there’s an election coming up or
not.”
The minority engagement team is connecting with local faith
leaders, organizing events in small businesses like
barbershops and beauty salons and reaching out to Black
Greek organizations to educate and empower African-American
voters.
“As African Americans, we’ve all seen what’s been happening
in this country since President Obama left office,” said
McGuire. “The most important thing is to let folks know that
they have the power to do something about it. There is
strength and power in numbers, but we only have that power
if we organize and vote. And after that, we have to hold our
elected officials accountable once they’re in office.”
McGuire emphasized that issues like health care and criminal
justice reform are all on the ballot in 2018.
Republicans like Mike DeWine and Jim Renacci want to repeal
Obamacare, take away protections for people with
pre-existing conditions like asthma and diabetes and defund
programs that help fight infant mortality. Meanwhile, Sen.
Sherrod Brown and Rich Cordray would protect Obamacare,
defend Medicaid expansion, which has provided health
coverage to 700,ooo Ohioans, and keep funding for Planned
Parenthood.
This fall Ohio voters will decide whether to approve a
constitutional amendment that would reform sentencing,
divest from prisons and invest in communities. In addition
to reclassifying minor drug possession offenses as
misdemeanors, the ballot initiative would also end the
probation-to-prison pipeline.
The Ohio Democratic Party’s minority engagement team will be
talking with voters about these issues and more from now
through Election Day.
If you’d like to find out more, text TEAM to 909-75.
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