Vote Early
Jenn and I voted early. It’s not that we are worried about ballots being manipulated or lost. And it’s not because we’re concerned about long lines at the polling place. Here in Pataskala, our polling place is very efficient. And for me, being “at the polls” is exciting, taking me back to my campaign days when election day meant months of intense work was, finally, on the line.
No, we voted early this year because it takes a little bit of the pressure off. There is so much at stake nationally, America is at such an inflection point; that it was just good to “do our part” as soon as we could. There are still things we can and will do to help our candidates, but the most important thing is done: we voted. And voting early allows the candidates that we support to “take us off the list”. Voting lists are constantly updated, so candidates know that there’s no reason to spend time or money on our house. We’re in.
For President
I’ve spent years writing about the top of this ballot; the Presidential election. For every reason I can think of, voting for Harris/Walz is a “no-brainer”. I would have said the same about Biden/Harris, though I too had concerns about Joe Biden’s age. So when the great “change” came, I was relieved: both that Biden wouldn’t be an 86 year-old President, and that the Democratic Party found a way not to be “Democrats”, and tear themselves apart in the process of nominating Harris. We did it right, from Biden’s grace to Michelle Obama’s speech, and Harris has been on a roll ever since.
Harris is better for America: from the economy (Vote Your Pocketbook) to foreign policy, to the Supreme Court. But most importantly, Harris is the choice that will allow the United States to continue the “Great Experiment” of our representative democracy (or Constitutional Republic). I’ve written a whole lot about that issue, including We Need to Play and Strange Bedfellows.
But what about the races “down ballot”?
Down Ballot
I voted Sherrod Brown for US Senate. He’s a very special kind of politician, one whose core belief is in the working folks he represents. Sherrod’s demonstrated that belief over and over again in his years in office, and has earned the votes of Ohioans with almost every action. He’s a rarity; like his Montana friend John Tester, he’s actually cares. As Sherrod states: he’s concerned about working folks; both the ones who take a shower before work, and the ones who take one after. His opponent is another rich guy who wants what his money can buy; power. That’s something we’ve seen way too much of already.
And for Congress, I voted for Jerrad Christian. Ohio is one of the most gerrymandered states in the Nation, and Christian has a long, long way to go to be competitive. But his opponent, incumbent Troy Balderson, is a “foot soldier” for the Republican leadership, first Kevin McCarthy and now Mike Johnson. He’s a “pawn” to be moved in the great Congressional power struggle, and done little to help the folks in the 12thCongressional District. Christian would be a fresh new face, though I’m not holding my breath for his victory.
State Legislature
For State Senate and State Representative I voted for the Democrats, Hubbell and Smith. The gerrymandered districts means that my vote doesn’t really matter in these races, but I still want my voice heard. However, I did pause on the Representative choice. A month ago, I followed the example of my old friend and boss Harry Gardner. I wrote an actual, “snail-mail” letter to the government leaders about the chaos in the State Teacher Retirement System. At best, I expected form letters in return, but heard only silence from the folks that represent me.
That is, except for Republican Representative Thad Claggett, who actually called and talked to me about it. I was impressed, almost enough to change my vote. But the Retirement System failures are huge, and I need more than just a conversation to earn my support. I hope I will have a reason to vote “across the aisle” for him soon. (Yes, I have voted for Republicans, once in a “blue moon”. I voted for those who earned it).
Gerrymandered
Ohio’s government is corrupted, our leaders concerned mainly with maintaining power and money. That’s because Ohio is so gerrymandered, that most district race outcomes are predetermined before the candidates are even nominated. Ohioans have tried to change that process again and again. We thought we succeeded, but the politicians and the courts have found a way to alter or ignore the changes. We are stuck with our current government, confirmed by ironclad district lines designed to enhance personal wealth and control.
So my votes for the Ohio Supreme Court and State Issue 1 (redistricting reform) are all bundled together. State Issue 1 is the latest attempt to fix redistricting. It’s a complex effort to keep the vested politicians out of the deal, and I’m not sure it will work. But it’s definitely worth a try; anything is better than what we have now. It’s sponsored by the retired Republican Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Maureen O’Connor. She stood against her own party again and again to control redistricting while on the Court. Now she’s put her prestige on the line with this reform measure.
And for that Issue to work, there needs to be a majority of the State Supreme Court that isn’t vested in the current system. So I voted for three Democrats for Justice. And more importantly, I voted against Republican Joe Deters, the former Hamilton County Prosecutor, appointed by Governor DeWine to the Court mostly because he was the best friend of the Governor’s son, Pat DeWine, himself a Supreme Court Justice. It’s nepotism at its finest.
No Votes
And then were a series of “under-votes” where I chose not to vote at all. Most were uncontested seats, where I didn’t have a positive reason to vote for the candidate. I’m not just checking the box because it’s there, so I left those races unvoted.
The one exception was the uncontested candidate for State Board of Education. Governor DeWine gutted most of the power of the Board last year, one more “brick in the wall” of corruption. But candidate Karen Lloyd is a long-time retired teacher, willing to return to public service and try to help education. Her service earned her the chance to make a difference, and my vote.
Local Issues
Judge David Branstool is running for re-election for Common Pleas Court. He’s been a steady hand in Licking County for decades. We need his solid service on the Bench as our County develops and expands. And he’s a good guy, I’ve known him for years. Voting for Branstool was a “no-brainer” too.
Then there’s a fire levy on: who thinks it’s OK to vote against the fire department? When you dial 9-11 you need them, right now. In our growing community the department needs to grow to. I wrote a whole essay on that this week, (A Local Thing). And you just have to be cruel to vote against a tax for Senior Citizens (hey – that’s me; not cruel, but a Senior!!).
So that’s my ballot. After all the essays, and all the conversations, I figured I need to “put my money where my mouth is”. So here’s the payoff – my votes.
My Ballot
- For President and Vice President – Kamala Harris/Tim Walz
- For US Senate – Sherrod Brown (Bernie Moreno)
- For US Congress – Jerrad Christian (Troy Balderson)
- For State Senator – Nick Hubbell
- For State Representative – Michael Smith (Thad Claggett)
- For Justice of Ohio Supreme Court – Michael Donnelly
- For Justice of Ohio Supreme Court – Melody Stewart (Joe Deters)
- For Justice of Ohio Supreme Court – Lisa Forbes
- For Judge of the Court of Appeals – NO VOTE
- For Judge of the Court of Appeals – NO VOTE
- For Judge of the Court of Appeals – NO VOTE
- For County Commissioner – James Snedden
- For County Commissioner – Bryn Bird
- For Prosecuting Attorney – NO VOTE
- For Clerk of Court for Common Pleas – NO VOTE
- For Sheriff – NO VOTE
- For County Recorder – NO VOTE
- For County Treasurer – NO VOTE
- For County Engineer – NO VOTE
- For Coroner – NO VOTE
- For State Board of Education – Karen Lloyd (Eastern Ohio Teacher)
- For Judge of Court of Common Pleas – David Branstool
- Issue 1 (Re-Districting Reform) – YES
- West Licking Joint Fire Tax – YES
- Senior Citizens Tax Renewal – YES
