Why Vote?
The United States is built on the foundations of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Along with possessing these unalienable rights, each citizen over the age of 18 has the right to vote. However, not all citizens utilize this right or understand civic engagement. In order for this to change, citizens need to learn how their government works, the process of voting, and how they can become involved. Teaching students about their civic rights and voting is a great way to encourage them to learn more and engage in their communities.
The Ohio Secretary of State is responsible voting, candidates, the election calendar, absentee voting, and election results. You will find resources for election officials and Ohio precinct election officials.
https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/
Definitions of Common Voting and Election Terms
Learn the meaning of common terms used in voting and elections. https://www.usa.gov/voting-and-election-definitions
Does YOUR VOTE Count?
The magic number 270 and the Electoral College explained in the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9H3gvnN468
Protecting Against Voter Intimidation – What Is It and What To Do?
Voter Intimidation is nothing new and can be any act that attempts to interfere or restrain individuals from voting or voting for whom/what they choose. Some examples are physically blocking or stopping entry to polling places, using threats/threating language, yelling or name calling, questioning voters about their political choices, interrogating voter about their citizenship or criminal histories, displaying false or misleading signage and offering false information about voting requirements/procedures.
If you witness or experience perceived voter intimidation call 911 or the local authorities. You can also report it to your local elections official or contact the Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Assistance is also available in Spanish at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888- 839-8682), in Arabic at 844-YALLA-US (844-915- 5187), and Asian languages at 888-API-VOTE (1-888-174-8683). A video American Sign Language line is available at 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683).
If you feel your civil rights have been violated, you may wish to contact a civil rights attorney in Ohio or
Georgetown Law Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection addresses the rise and unlawful private paramilitaries in all 50 states. For more information click the links below.
Fact Sheet: Protecting Against Voter Intimidation
Fact Sheet: Unlawful Militias in Ohio
https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/09/Ohio.pdf
The FBI and Election Security
Election security is one of the highest national priorities for the FBI. Learn more about what the FBI is doing to protect the US Elections against scams, crimes and other potential threats.
https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/election-crimes-and-security
The FBI’s Protected Voices initiative provides tools and resources to political campaigns, companies, and individuals to protect against online foreign influence operations and cybersecuritythreats. The FBI, in partnership with Department of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence, have released several short videos on critical cybersecurity and foreign influence topics. https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/foreign-influence/protected-voices
Compare 2020 Presidential Candidate Positions
A Side-by-Side Comparison Between Candidates on 68 Key Issues. https://2020election.procon.org/view.source-summary-chart.php
Want to Know How Your Beliefs Align With the 2020 Political Candidates?
Educate Children About Voting
https://thinktv.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/k12-ohio-election-resources/
For Grades K-3, Your Vote Counts is perfect.
For 4-12, the other resources in this collection may be helpful.
FREE Civics Resources for Teachers
Civic engagement plays a vital role in communities throughout Ohio and in Ohio’s democracy. However, civic engagement is on the decline. The need for education around civics is even more important today, particularly in classrooms at all grade levels. Schools can be a conduit to current and future civic engagement through education and connections. iCivics offers free innovative and online resources for involving students in quality, engaging and meaningful civic learning. Teachers click the link below and access free engaging civic curriculum for your classroom.
https://www.icivics.org/our-story?sfns=mo
Voters Rights for Individuals With Disabilities and Other Qualifying Needs
Rights and Assistance Available to Voters with a Disability in Ohio are mandated by the Help America Vote Act, the Americans with Disability Act and Ohio Law. To better understand these rights or to become a more knowledgeable advocate, visit the links below.
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/voters-with-disabilities/
https://www.ada.gov/ada_voting/ada_voting_ta.htm
Voting with a Criminal Conviction in Ohio – Have You Been Convicted of a Felony? Re-Register Today and Restore Your Vote!
In Ohio people with felony convictions CAN VOTE after they are released from incarceration. That’s true even if you are on probation or parole, live in a halfway house or are on house arrest. Returning Citizens must register to vote even if you were previously registered. Re-Register to vote at
NOTE: If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, you have the right to vote, even if you are currently incarcerated. If you are currently incarcerated on a felony conviction you are ineligible to vote.
Voting in Jails – The Sentencing Project – Research and Advocacy for Reform
Did you know that in local jails most individuals incarcerated are eligible to vote because they are not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction? Did you know that problems with voting in jail disproportionately impact communities of color since nearly half of the persons in jail nationally are African American or Latino? Did you know research has shown that Civic participation has been linked to reduced recidivism? Learn more about jail voting policy and practice, jail voting models, advocacy to protecting voting rights in jails and more by clicking the link below.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Voting-in-Jails.pdf
Election Day Poll Workers Needed – Earn $$ While Performing a Civic Duty
Ohio requires 37,057 individuals, at minimum, to fulfill election day poll worker positions throughout the state’s 88 counties and is currently not meeting that threshold. In addition to the minimum number needed, the county boards of elections also must plan for potential last-minute cancelations, which is a greater risk this year given the uncertainties around the COVID-19 pandemic.
How can I help? Well, we’re glad you asked! Here are few ways to be a part of the solution to serve your community and help make the 2020 General Election a safe, secure and accurate success –
- Sign up to be an election day poll worker in your county. Serve alongside your neighbors.
- The Youth at the Booth program Encourage 17-year-old high school seniors to become poll workers even though they aren’t old enough to vote. The experience is rewarding and looks good on a college resume.
- Day of Democracy encourages employers to offer employees a paid day to serve as an elections day poll worker without having to utilize a benefit paid day off.
- Work a Day and Donate Your Pay is an opportunity for elections day poll workers to donate their poll worker pay to a nonprofit organization.
- Continuing Education Units (CEUs) can be earned by licensed professionals such as lawyers and accountants who serve as elections day poll workers.
- Dedicated Community Service Project is an opportunity for service organizations to encourage members to sign up to become election day poll workers and fulfill a community service commitment for the respective organization.
The application process is easy and takes less than five minutes to complete.
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/poll-workers/signup/
“The Social Dilemma”
A Netflix Documentary
“The Social Dilemma” is a documentary that examines the emotional and psychological impacts that social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, etc.) have on their users and communities at large. Former employees from these companies, along with scientists and other experts, provide an analysis of profit models that motivate the companies to exploit human attention. Despite being developed with “good intentions,” arguably, social media platforms have grown to become monopolies whose products are data on people, their thought patterns, emotional states, and decisions. A deeper understanding of how these platforms operate allows us to begin to have a better understanding of some of the challenges we have as a society, for example the increase in youth suicide, the propagation of “fake news,” political polarization, and elections influence efforts.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Do You Have a Question?
Call USAGov at 1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681) to ask us any question about the U.S. government for free. We’ll get you the answer or tell you where to find it. We are open between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
Questions for Your Representative?
Calls are accepted Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Click the link below to locate your district representative.
http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/member-directory