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Make It Count – Vote!
The Ohio Democratic Party
Guest Column
Even though the coronavirus pandemic has changed our
situation, we can and will vote safely and securely in this
fall’s election. The United States has always held elections
and upheld the results, even in times of great crisis. We
have held successful presidential elections during the Civil
War, the Great Depression and two World Wars.
Now it’s our turn to show that nothing -- not even the
coronavirus -- will stand in the way of our democratic
commitment to voting.
Donald Trump is trying to bully his way through this
election because he fears he is losing, and Ohio Republicans
are helping to prop him up. Trump is spreading lies and
misinformation to try to manipulate us into giving up our
right to vote. He is trying to divide us and distract us
from his corruption and failure to protect us from the
pandemic.
But here is what Donald Trump doesn’t understand -- we will
not be deterred or dissuaded from voting. We have fought for
too long to let anyone take away our right to vote through
misinformation and deceit. Millions of Ohioans have already
requested their vote-by-mail ballots, and early in-person
voting opens on Tuesday, Oct. 6. We are joining together,
black and white, young and old, to turn out in record
numbers during this election season.
In addition, the Ohio Democratic Party is working hard to
ensure that every eligible voter is able to cast their
ballot safely and securely and that every vote is counted.
We believe our democracy is stronger when more people
participate -- we have never solved a problem with less
democracy. If you have any questions or concerns about
voting, you can call the party’s Voter Protection Hotline at
844-OH-I-VOTE (844-644-8683).
If you’re worried about keeping your coronavirus risk low,
voting by mail is your best option. There are lots of myths
about voting by mail or absentee voting -- and
unfortunately, our president has been spreading a lot of
those myths. Here are the facts:
You don’t need an excuse to vote by mail in Ohio. It’s an
option available to any registered Ohio voter.
Voting by mail is secure -- it is so secure that it is the
option that the president chooses to cast his own ballot.
Voting by mail is convenient. All registered Ohio voters
should have received an application to vote by mail; just
fill it out and mail it back or return it in person right
away. Vote-by-mail ballots will be sent out starting in
early October, so if you requested one, check your mailbox
soon.
If you vote by mail, you can trust your ballot will be
counted. Vote-by-mail ballots, along with votes cast early
in person, are the very first votes counted on Election
Night. You can track your ballot online just like you would
track a package to make sure it was received. Or you can
call your county board of elections to find out the status
of your ballot.
As Ohio Democrats, we believe that this election is too
important to wait until Election Day. Go to
MakeItCountOhio.com right now to get started on requesting a
vote-by-mail ballot or make a plan to vote early in person,
starting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Congressman John Lewis has taken his rest, but his words
live on: “Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the
most powerful, nonviolent tool we have to create a more
perfect union.” This year we will honor his legacy. We will
honor the legacy of Rev. C.T. Vivian. We will honor the
legacy of Congressman Elijah Cummings. We will honor the
legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We will vote, and we
will Make It Count.
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