Dear friends,
The year 2023 was a busy one for Democrats in Knox County. A lot of effort provided positive results for us all.
January 2023 began with signing petitions to get the Reproductive Freedom constitutional amendment on the ballot. We got 1,426 signatures through signing events in our office as as well as canvassing done by 34 volunteers.
Then the state legislature decided to put up a roadblock to getting the Reproductive Freedom amendment passed — They held a special election in August to limit the rights of citizens to submit constitutional amendments via petition. Through out efforts at canvassing, the legislature’s amendment was defeated. Here in Knox County, 37% of voters cast their ballot against that initiative.
In November, we had another election — where the Reproductive Freedom amendment was on the ballot. Knox County Democratic Parry volunteers canvassed 2,893 households and spoke with 1,173 people. Postcards were mailed to 1,142 rural households. In addition to the amendment, canvasses also provided information about non-partisan candidates so that voters could be informed about their candidacy. The results of these efforts yields 9,394 yes votes, or 42% of the vote here in Knox County. In all of 2023, we had 4,787 volunteer door attempts.
After the November election, we collected signatures to get candidates on the March 2024 primary ballot. Those candidates include Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate; Associate Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart, Judge Lisa Forbes and Judge Terri Jamison for Ohio Supreme Court; Democratic Convention Delegates At Large — to get the Biden-Harris ticket on November’s ballot; Jerrad Christian for U.S. Congress District 12; Annie Homstad for Ohio Representative District 98; David Hogan for Ohio Representative District 61; and Chuck Rogers for Knox County Commissioner.
Looking Ahead in 2024
Now that we are in 2024, we have a lot more work to do. We need more volunteers to help us register voters, send postcards, and canvass voters in support of our candidates. If you can volunteer, please fill out this simple form to let us know, and we’ll get back to you with details.
There will also be more petitions to get issues on the ballot. One of the most important of those is to create a Citizen Redistricting Commission to make certain the State Legislature cannot continue their gerrymandering efforts (those petitions are now available). Another issue is to raise the minimum wage.
Feb 15, 2024 UPDATE: We were planning to have a fundraising dinner on April 6; However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to cancel this event. In the meantime, please remember you can donate to the Knox County Democratic Party at any time, and all donations are very much appreciated. Especially as we start this year of important elections — President, U.S. Senate, Knox County Commissioners, and others — we could really use your help to pay for our rent, utilities, office supplies, mailers, and other critical items. And, we are working on plans for a community event later this year, so be on the lookout for more information.
Your donations of time and money will help us succeed as we did in 2023.
Important Dates
January 1 Applications for absentee ballots for all elections in 2024 may be accepted.
January 19 Boards of election must schedule a program for instruction of precinct election officials (60 days before the presidential primary election). Volunteer to be a poll worker!
February 20 Deadline for voter registration for the March 19 presidential primary election (30 days before the presidential primary election). Check your registration at the Board of Elections to make certain you have not been purged from the voter list.
Feb. 21 Early in-person absentee voting begins (first day after close of voter registration)
Mar. 12 Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for March 19 presidential primary election must be received by the Board of Elections by the close of business (7 days before presidential primary election).
March 18 Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail must be postmarked by March 18.
March 19 Presidential Primary Election Day. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
March 19 Absentee ballots, returned in person or via a method other that the U.S. Mail, must be received by the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m.
March 23 Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail must be received by the Board of Elections by this date in order to be counted (4 days after the presidential primary election).
Local Democratic Candidate Webpages
Annie Homstad www.anniehomstad4ohio.com
David Hogan https://www.facebook.com/david.hogan.9216
Jerrad Christian www.christianforohio.com
Chuck Rogers https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555670280831
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https://ohiodems.org/our-candidates/
Delegates to the Democratic National Convention from Ohio Congressional District 12
Male: Jason Adams, Cameron Hill (Muskingum County)
Female: Adrienne Bowden (Fairfield County), Christine Rahrig (Muskingum County)
Important Education Legislation https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/legislation-tracker.html