How We Vote - Nov. 7th General
How We Vote - Nov. 7th General
Ohio is awash with propaganda and deceit, make sure you vote well on the Nov. 7th general election ballot
Election season is upon us once again, and in true Ohio fashion, this election is jam-packed with misinformation intended to sway Ohio’s political landscape ever-so-further right and more deeply entrench extremist positions as public policy. While Cleveland’s local election is much less low-stakes, similar things are occurring at that level, with state and local government publications posting apparently political messages - in addition to other sketchy shit.
Obtaining and using purely unbiased sources in this day and age is impossible, and when deceit is afoot to quash any attempts at reasoned and level-headed decision-making, it’s difficult to know how and why to vote. Ohio voters have a wide variety of things to vote on this November at the local level, so your ballot will look different depending on where you live.
Let’s take a look at the issues defining this year’s general election.
Yes on Issue 1 - Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care
By far the most impactful issue on the ballot this year is Issue 1 which enshrines reproductive healthcare services as protected under the Ohio Constitution.
Polling for Issue 1 is positive, but only slightly so, and the margin of error isn’t reassuring. Nevertheless, the fact is that good-minded, everyday, salt-of-the-earth Ohioans support access to reproductive healthcare. While the MAGA Supreme Court has managed to disembowel Americans’ fundamental reproductive rights, Ohioans have the opportunity right now — and possibly only right now — to ensure that anyone can access sound reproductive medical care without fear of retaliation or denial of access. Simply put, the governor hates this, so you should vote yes.
Issue 1 is being led by a coalition of organizations organized under the banner of the Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights. Vote for health care. Vote for women.
Yes on Issue 2 - Legalizing Recreational Marijuana and Cannabis Production
This one is long-past-due, ever since the first, failed recreational marijuana initiative was rejected by Ohioans in 2016. Issue 2 is good, and it gets a yes from us.
Polling for Issue 2 is also positive, but again suffers from the typical Ohio split with a healthy margin of error. Legal marijuana is a no-brainer. Nixon’s War on Drugs is an unambiguous failure and has only caused an unfathomable amount of unnecessary distress, suffering, and hardship. Every day that marijuana remains illegal is another day that thousands of regular-ole Ohioans face potential arrests for what is no different than alcohol. We reject prohibition as a failure, and so too must we reject the criminalization of marijuana in the same way.
Issue 2 is being led by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.
Yes on Issue 38 - Embedding Participatory Budgeting into the Cleveland City Charter
Last but certainly not least is Issue 38. We’ve spoken about this in great detail elsewhere, and you should go read what we have to say there.
Above is our first critique of Kris Harsh and his anti-PB article. Below is our second critique from when he was on the Cuyahoga Dems’ official podcast.
In short, Clevelanders have a basic right to control their tax dollars. Without trust in local politicians, there can be no reasonable assurance that our tax dollars will be used in ways that benefit us as Cleveland residents. Issue 38 helps us regain that control.
Issue 38 is being led by a coalition of organizations under the banner of People’s Budget Cleveland.
Don’t be swayed by propaganda.
For the future of our city and state, vote sensibly. Vote left.
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