Hurrah for Ohio!

The recent defeat of Issue 1 in Ohio was such a testament to the power of the states in saving Democracy- and our influence in the states! Several members of State Fair helped to bring about this victory by texting, calling, and writing letters and postcards. Yes, we raise money to help candidates, but we can also support in other ways wherever Democracy is being threatened in a state government. The Republicans were misrepresenting facts to lessen the power of the people in Ohio so that it would be hard, if not impossible, to create and pass an initiative in the future. Reproductive rights, specifically, were supported by a majority of voters, but the conservative powers that be were attempting to subvert the power of the people by changing the majority threshold in voting from 50% to 60%. This would mean that Republicans could pass an abortion ban with a minority vote.

The powerful force, David Pepper, former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, current Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati University College of Law, and author of the books Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy, energized voters into acton by alerting them to this sneaky off-season election in Ohio. Americans everywhere wrote postcards & letters and made calls & texts. This massive effort, along with whatever funds were at their disposal (not as much as the Republicans) reached and convinced, not only Democratic voters, but Independents and Republicans, as well! Members of the State Fair Leadership team, including myself, were privileged to attend a Zoom election results watch party with legislators in Ohio. Also in attendance were Nancy Pelosi, Jamie Harrison, David Pepper, Gavin Newsom, and many activists in Ohio and other states. The triumphant energy "in the room" was electric!

This gives me hope that we will be able to protect Democracy in the state of Virginia, where I am a voter, and where State Fair is working tirelessly in 2023. I am so proud to have participated with others from State Fair to protect Democracy. In the words of Melissa Walker, Head of Giving Circles in the States Project, "Onward!"