2024 GENERAL ELECTION

VOTER GUIDE

Let your Yes be Yes

The time has come for your voice to be heard. The time has come to cast your vote for candidates who will help us flourish, and for ballot amendments that have far-reaching impact on how much your vote will count in the coming years.

This is an election that matters, perhaps more than you think.

We will elect our next president.

A pivotal US Senate Seat is on the line. Ohio House, Senate, and judicial candidates are looking for your vote. You’ll be asked to fund local schools through a levy, as well as arts and culture through a tax on cigarettes.

But even your vote, and how much it counts in the future, is on the ballot. Ohio has an abysmal track record with gerrymandering, where those who are already in power redesign voter maps to make it more likely that they stay in power … and get even more powerful.

Does that seem wrong? It does, because it is wrong, and deeply unfair. It’s about powerful people turning our democracy, where every person gets an equal say, into a game with winners and losers … where the winners get to decide how the game gets played.

This is not a partisan problem.

Throughout our nation’s history, different parties have held onto power through rigging election maps. It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now, and that’s why I’ll be voting yes to an amendment that ends gerrymandering in Ohio.

GCC had a great victory this year supporting Citizens Not Politicians getting the anti-gerrymandering bill on the ballot. But if you need an “exhibit A” of why we need this, consider the confusing language that you’ll encounter on the ballot. It’s a deceptive wall-of-words that essentially says that Issue One is the exact opposite of what it actually is.

That ballot explanation makes me think of Jesus’s words: Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. And I’ll paraphrase his next line: anything more than that is meant to muddy the waters, to deceive, to try to hold on to something that might not belong to you.

So, let your yes be yes. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that politics is a bad thing that people of faith should stay away from. Democracy is about building a community where all God’s children can flourish, whether they vote blue, red, purple, green, or a mix of all the above. But that only works when all votes count the same, when politics is about working together rather than a game where the winners decide how to keep playing.

Let your yes be yes

Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking your vote counts any less than someone else’s … and that means don’t sleep at the chance to speak up. Especially this year, when you’re voting not only for candidates and schools, but for the right to speak on equal terms with all people in Ohio.

Faithfully, BJ Owens

(The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens)
Trinity Cathedral

Battle for Democracy

Elections should be free and fair – but in Ohio, politicians have erected barriers to voting that make it harder for people to vote, whether through stricter voter ID laws or restrictions on voting by mail. Voter suppression is real, but so is voter depression – many registered voters want to vote, but they believe that their vote won’t make a difference. That’s why GCC launched the Battle for Democracy campaign. Together, we’re using our organizing power to turn this vicious cycle of hopelessness on its head by building long-term relationships with low-propensity voters.

Highlights from our Oct. 10th

action at Trinity Cathedral

More than 200 people turned out to GCC’s action to support Issue 1 and end gerrymandering once and for all in Ohio.

We believe politics is about people. It’s not about the powerful deciding how the game is played. It’s about people making their voices heard.”

Rev. Bernard J. Owens
Trinity Cathedral

The Supreme Court in Ohio is the last stop for justice. It has the power and duty to interpret laws and apply laws and constitutional rights, like the reproductive freedom amendment that just passed last year.”

Judge Lisa Forbes
Ohio Supreme Court candidate

The voter virginity campaign’s primary objective is to combat voter depression and increase voter turnout, especially among first time voters and those who haven’t participated in a long time.”

De’Mario Steele
GCC Intern and Cleveland State University student

Imagine what would happen if the other team decided to change the rules in the middle of the game. That’s exactly what gerrymandering does. It changes the rules of our electoral process to favor the votes of some and disenfranchise the votes of others.”

– Rev. Dr. Lisa Goods

Shiloh Baptist Church

Question

The court ruled and voters have directed to end gerrymandering in Ohio, and yet politicians continue to ignore this. What would you do to enforce the Ohio Supreme Court decision on fair maps in Ohio?

Answer

We have the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, all of which have the power to make laws and all of which should be respected equally. When people, like members of the redistricting commission, do not abide by a ruling of the Supreme Court, they are breaking the law. They are abdicating their responsibilities and not living up to their oath. The power is up to the people. The politicians can be voted out if they’re not doing their constitutional responsibilities.

Question

If you are elected, will you meet with GCC in your first 90 days?

Answer

Yes.

Note: Ohio Supreme Court candidate Judge Dan Hawkins was invited to attend. GCC received no response to the invitation.

Why Vote?

This is one of the most important and consequential elections of our lifetimes, with races for the presidency, U.S. Senate, and other issues being decided by our votes.

How can I learn what is on my ballot?

Go to this URL: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters or scan this QR code with your phone for a direct link

Complete your ballot

Make sure you vote for all the offices and issues on the ballot. Your vote and voice are important. Don’t fall prey to voter fatigue … let them hear from YOU!

How to vote in the General Election

This year, we have statewide and local candidates and issues. Before you vote, take the time to educate yourself on the candidates and the issues using GCC’s voter guide and other resources.

In person now at the Board of Elections
Early by mail
At your polling location on Nov. 5th, Election Day

Dates to remember

Tuesday, Oct. 8th

Start of early voting

Tuesday, Oct. 8th

Start of voting by mail

Tuesday, Oct. 29th

Vote-by-mail/absentee ballot applications must be received by the Board of Election

Monday, Nov. 4th

Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date

Tuesday, Nov. 5th

Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. Absentee ballots returned in person must be returned to your local Board of Elections.

Saturday, Nov. 9th

Last day for Board of Elections to receive ballots postmarked by Nov. 4th

How to request an absentee ballot

Print your request at www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-ballot
Call the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at 216/443-8683 (VOTE)

NOTE: The rules have changed for dropping off absentee ballots at available dropboxes. According to a new directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, anyone dropping off an absentee ballot for another person must do so during Board of Elections hours and sign a form confirming they’re authorized to submit the ballot.

Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC is a nonprofit 501c3 organization and does not endorse any candidate for political office).

Visit www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov for more info.

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
2925 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland OH 44115
215/443-8683 (VOTE)

What’s on the ballot in Cuyahoga County?

NATIONAL OFFICES

U.S. Presidential race

Former President Donald Trump (R) is running against current Vice President Kamala Harris (D) for the presidency of the United States. The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.

NATIONAL OFFICES

U.S. SENATE race

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown is running against Republican Bernie Moreno to represent Ohio in the United States Senate.

STATE OF OHIO OFFICES

Ohio Supreme Court

This fall, three Ohio Supreme Court seats are coming up for reelection. The outcomes of these races will decide the court majority and have major impacts on a wide variety of issues, from education to gerrymandering and reproductive rights.

This year, the races are as follows:

Incumbent Democratic Justice Michael P. Donnelly vs. Republican Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan
Incumbent Democratic Justice Melody Stewart vs. incumbent Republican Justice Joseph Deters
Democrat Lisa Forbes of the Eighth District Court of Appeals vs. Republican Dan Hawkins of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court

Currently, Ohio’s highest court has a 4-3 Republican majority. If all three Republicans are elected, they would hold all but one seat on the bench, for a 6-1 majority. If all three Democrats win their elections, the Democrats would hold a 4-3 majority.

STATE ISSUES

ISSUE 1

Issue 1 is a statewide issue that would remove politicians from the redistricting process. Currently, Ohio politicians draw the maps – ones that directly impact them and their colleagues. A YES vote on Issue 1 would require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or individual politician. It would also create a commission that would operate under an open and independent process.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY OFFICES

Cuyahoga County Council

The Cuyahoga County Council is the legislative body of Cuyahoga County government, made up of 11 elected representatives from across the County. All Council meetings are open to the public. The Council makes policy decisions for the effective functioning of County government and links government agencies and citizens. It has legislative and taxing authority for the County, and is a co-equal branch of the County government with the executive branch. This year, five council seats are up for election:

District

Democrat

Republican

Dale Miller (incumbent)

Chris Breninghouse

Mark Casselberry

Danielle Downs

Robert Schleper

Jack Schron (incumbent)

Pernel Jones (incumbent)

Michael Houser

Stacey White

CUYAHOGA COUNTY OFFICES

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor

Michael O’Malley (D, incumbent)

CUYAHOGA COUNTY OFFICES

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

The mission of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court is to provide a forum for the fair, impartial and timely resolution of civil and criminal cases. The constitutions of the United States and Ohio call for the separation of powers. There are three branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial. The judicial branch interprets the laws created by the two other branches impartially and fairly.

Office

Candidates

Term ends 12/31/26

Timothy Clary (R, incumbent) vs. Kira Krivosh (D)

Term starts 1/1/25

Kevin Kelley (D, incumbent) vs. Antonio Nicholson (R)

Term starts 1/2/25

Ashley Kilbane (D, incumbent)

Term starts 1/3/25

John Spellacy (D)

Term starts 1/4/25

Timothy McCormick (D, incumbent)

Term starts 1/5/25

John P. O’Donnell (D, incumbent)

Term starts 1/6/25

Carl Mazzone (D)

Term starts 1/7/25

Lauren C. Moore (D)

Term starts 1/8/25

Tim Hess (R) vs. Mollie Murphy (D)

Term starts 1/9/25

Emily Hagan (D, incumbent)

Term starts 1/10/25

Amily Imbrogno (R) vs. Joy Kennedy (D)

Term starts 1/11/25

Joan Synenberg (R, incumbent) vs. Daryl Dennie (D)

Term starts 1/12/25

Cassandra Collier-Williams (D, incumbent) vs. Jason Ralls (R)

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division

Term starts 1/1/25

Jennifer L. O’Malley (D, incumbent)

Term starts 1/2/25

Alison Nelson Floyd (D, incumbent)

Term starts 1/3/25

Thomas F. O’Malley (D, incumbent)

CUYAHOGA COUNTY ISSUES

Issue 55

Issue 55 is a replacement and expansion of the tax on cigarettes that funds Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, which funds arts and cultural experiences for residents of Northeast Ohio. With fewer cigarettes being sold each year, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture revenues have gone down by more than 50% since 2006, reducing the funds available for grants to the nearly 300 nonprofits CAC funds each year. The levy would replace the current tax of 15 mills (1.5 cents) per cigarette sold in Cuyahoga County with a tax of 35 mills (3.5 cents) per cigarette. The new levy could generate an estimated $160 million over the next 10 years, increasing levels of support after years of steady decline.

CITY OF CLEVELAND ISSUES

Issue 49

This $8.6 million levy for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) proposes an increased annual property tax increase of about $300 per $100,000 of property value. Voters will also be asked to decide whether the district should seek the issuance of $295 million in bonds for school facility maintenance, which would increase property taxes by an additional $95 per $100,000 of property value. This 2024 levy is the fourth proposed CMSD levy over the past twelve years – with previous levies passed in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

This time … VOTE

on ISSUE 1
on Nov. 5th

to end gerrymandering
once and for all.

WHAT DOES MY ISSUE 1 VOTE MEAN (THIS YEAR)?

A “YES” VOTE

means you support the creation of the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission – a group of 15 regular people (not politicians) who would be in charge of deciding how to redraw voting district maps. This would set a precedent as the gold standard in deciding fair voting maps.

A “NO” VOTE

means you support keeping the current system, where politicians benefit themselves by deciding how voting district maps are drawn – through the Ohio Redistricting Commission (set up in 2015).