As Ohioans, particularly Black women, we understand the power of our vote. The 2024 election presents a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our local communities, state, and country. With early voting now available, we can ensure our voices are heard without the stress of Election Day complications. This election is about more than choosing a leader—it's about choosing policies that impact every aspect of our lives, from healthcare and economic equality to criminal justice reform and reproductive rights.
This guide will take you through Ohio’s key races—from local county positions to the Ohio Supreme Court and the national presidential race—explaining why early voting is important and who the candidates are that you should be watching closely. Be sure to stay tuned. We will cover issues that affect us locally. Sign up now for our blog and newsletter, and never miss insightful content for our community.
The Importance of Early Voting in Ohio
Early voting in Ohio starts on October 8, 2024, and runs through November 4, 2024. By voting early, we ensure that our voices are heard without the worry of last-minute obstacles such as long lines, bad weather, or family emergencies. For Black women, early voting offers a crucial opportunity to avoid barriers that have historically suppressed our participation, such as voter ID laws, misinformation, or even long wait times in predominantly Black communities.
You can vote early in person at designated polling locations or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. The convenience of early voting ensures that every voter can participate, regardless of their work or personal schedules. Now, let's look at the candidates running in key local, state, and national races.
Key Local Races in Lucas County
While national races tend to grab headlines, local elections have a profound impact on our daily lives. The candidates elected to local offices in Lucas County will make decisions that affect public infrastructure, economic development, housing policies, and social services that directly impact our communities.
Lucas County Engineer: Mike Pniewski (Democratic Incumbent)
As Lucas County Engineer, Mike Pniewski has focused on maintaining and improving county roads, bridges, and public works. His re-election could mean continued progress in infrastructure improvements, especially in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked. His emphasis on job creation through public works projects is essential for local economic growth, particularly for underserved communities.
Lucas County Recorder: Michael Ashford (Democratic Incumbent)
Michael Ashford oversees the recording of critical public documents such as property deeds and mortgages. His work is essential for protecting homeownership rights, especially for Black families who have historically faced barriers in property ownership. Ensuring that property records are managed transparently is key to building generational wealth in our communities.
Lucas County Treasurer: Lindsay Webb (Democratic Incumbent)
Lindsay Webb's position as Treasurer involves managing county finances to ensure that tax revenues are used efficiently. Her work affects local schools, social services, and public safety. Webb’s focus on economic equity directly impacts Black women, many of whom rely on public services and school systems for their families.
Ohio’s U.S. Senate Race: Sherrod Brown vs. Bernie Moreno
Sherrod Brown has served as U.S. Senator from Ohio since 2007 and is well-known for his strong advocacy for working families, healthcare access, and economic justice. His platform includes:
Progressive Economic Policies: Brown has consistently supported legislation aimed at improving wages and job security for Ohio workers. He is a vocal critic of free trade agreements that he believes harm Ohio’s working class.
Healthcare Advocacy: Brown has been a defender of the Affordable Care Act and has pushed for legislation to lower prescription drug costs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he introduced legislation to ensure workers could take paid sick days.
Environmental Protection: He has introduced legislation aimed at improving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulation of harmful chemicals, ensuring cleaner and safer communities for Ohioans.
Bernie Moreno, on the other hand, has faced multiple controversies during his campaign:
Unethical Business Practices: Moreno has been accused of breaking a profit-sharing agreement with a former business partner, potentially costing the partner millions. Additionally, Moreno allegedly misrepresented his educational background, falsely claiming he earned an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Spreading Misinformation: Moreno has been involved in propagating false claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio despite their legal status under temporary protected status.
Extreme Political Positions: Moreno is backed by the NRA and holds hardline conservative views on immigration and gun rights. His policies are seen by many as benefiting the wealthy while offering little to working-class Ohioans.
For Ohioans concerned with workers' rights, healthcare, and environmental protections, Sherrod Brown remains a strong choice in this election.
U.S. House Race: Marcy Kaptur vs. Derek Merrin
Marcy Kaptur has represented Ohio’s 9th District in Congress since 1983 and remains one of the longest-serving women in Congress. Her platform continues to focus on working people and improving the lives of Ohioans:
Economic Justice: Kaptur has been a fierce advocate for fair pay, job security, and pension protections. She has consistently pushed for legislation to support workers, including initiatives to improve wages and secure pensions for Ohio's middle class.
Healthcare and Social Security: Kaptur has worked tirelessly to protect Social Security and Medicare, programs vital to Ohio’s elderly and disabled communities. She also continues to fight for affordable healthcare access for all.
Derek Merrin, on the other hand, has been criticized for his record on several key issues:
Anti-Worker Legislation: Merrin has introduced bills to cut paid sick days for government employees and school district workers. He also proposed laws that would make it easier to evict families during the holidays and reduce worker protections.
Controversial Stances on Reproductive Rights: Merrin co-sponsored extreme anti-abortion legislation with no exceptions for rape or incest and introduced measures that would restrict access to fertility treatments like IVF.
Economic Inequality: Merrin supported a state budget that would have raised taxes on middle-class families while cutting taxes for the wealthiest Ohioans.
For voters concerned with workers’ rights, reproductive freedom, and economic equality, Marcy Kaptur provides a strong track record of fighting for Ohio’s working families.
Ohio Supreme Court Races
The Ohio Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in decisions that impact civil rights, criminal justice, and economic policies in the state. These races are crucial for the future of justice in Ohio, particularly for communities of color.
Michael P. Donnelly (Democratic Incumbent)
Michael Donnelly has been a strong advocate for judicial independence and mental health reform within the justice system. He has served on Ohio’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court, where he has worked to ensure fair treatment for vulnerable individuals. His focus on reducing mass incarceration and reforming the criminal justice system aligns with the values of many Ohioans concerned about racial equity.
Megan E. Shanahan (Republican)
Megan Shanahan, a former prosecutor, has extensive experience in criminal justice, having served as a Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas judge. While she emphasizes her prosecutorial background, Shanahan’s platform may appeal more to voters concerned with traditional “tough-on-crime” policies, which have historically contributed to mass incarceration in Black communities.
Melody Stewart (Democratic Incumbent)
As the first African American woman elected to Ohio’s Supreme Court, Melody Stewart has worked tirelessly to ensure judicial independence and fairness. Stewart’s commitment to impartial rulings, especially on cases involving civil rights and social justice, makes her a key candidate for voters concerned with protecting equality under the law.
Joseph Deters (Republican Incumbent)
Joseph Deters has a background in law enforcement and conservative judicial philosophy. His appointment to the Supreme Court in 2023 solidified his stance on being tough on crime, but his conservative views may not align with the need for criminal justice reform and racial equity in Ohio.
Lisa Forbes (Democratic)
Lisa Forbes is a newcomer to the race, but her platform focuses on protecting the rights of Ohioans through fair and just rulings. Her emphasis on economic justice, reproductive rights, and equality makes her an appealing candidate for voters looking for progressive judicial leadership.
Lucas County Court of Common Pleas
In the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, judicial candidates are running for positions that will affect local legal matters, including criminal cases and civil disputes. These courts are often the first point of contact for citizens involved in the legal system.
Ken Walz (Democratic)
Ken Walz brings decades of experience as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and years of experience in civil and criminal defense. His platform centers on labor union rights, healthcare advocacy, and a balanced approach to justice—key issues that resonate with Ohio’s working-class voters, particularly in Lucas County.
Robert Jones (Republican)
Robert Jones is running for Lucas County Juvenile Judge. His conservative platform focuses on traditional family values and law enforcement. While his views may appeal to conservative voters, they may raise concerns among voters looking for reform in juvenile justice.
Jaime Agnew (Republican)
Jaime Agnew is running for Common Pleas Judge with a background in criminal justice and a focus on traditional conservative values. Agnew’s platform emphasizes law and order, but it may not align with voters seeking reform in the criminal justice system.
Eric Marks (Republican)
Eric Marks is running for Lucas County Common Pleas Judge. His platform focuses on traditional legal principles, but like other conservative candidates, his policies may conflict with efforts to reform the justice system and reduce racial disparities.
The Presidential Race: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz vs. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance
With Joe Biden stepping down from the race, the 2024 presidential contest is between Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the Democratic ticket and Donald Trump and J.D. Vance on the Republican side. The Harris-Walz ticket offers a progressive platform focused on economic justice, healthcare access, and labor rights.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz: A Progressive Vision for America
Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to run for president, and her running mate Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, bring a platform aimed at addressing the needs of working families, particularly Black and brown communities.
Economic Policies: Their platform includes expanding the Child Tax Credit, lowering healthcare costs, and promoting labor unions.
Healthcare: Harris and Walz support expanding the Affordable Care Act, capping insulin costs at $35, and ensuring reproductive rights are protected at a federal level.
Labor Rights: Both candidates have strong ties to labor unions and are committed to raising the minimum wage and expanding paid family leave.
Here are the endorsements for the Democratic Ohio ticket. Click Here
Donald Trump and J.D. Vance: A Platform of Division
Trump and Vance’s campaign represents a continuation of the policies that marked Trump’s first term—policies that disproportionately harmed Black and Browm communities. Spewing mendacious information and backing Project 2025 with the claims they have no idea what's in the document, each Project 2025 focal point is used in every single rally(HMMMM). Their focus on voter suppression, restricting reproductive rights, and economic policies that favor the wealthy are a step backward for Ohio’s most vulnerable communities.
Here are the endorsements for the Republican Ohio Ticket. ClickHere.
Your Vote, Your Voice
The 2024 election is about more than candidates—it's about the future of Ohio and the country. Whether it's local judicial races or the presidential contest, every vote matters. Early voting ensures that your voice is heard. Let’s continue to be at the forefront of change and make sure our votes count.
Your voice is your power. Use it.
Election Day: November 5, 2024
Voter Registration Deadline: October 7, 2024 (for in-person, mail, and online registration)
Absentee Voting:
Absentee ballot request deadline: October 29, 2024 (received by this date)
Absentee ballot return deadline:
In-person: November 5, 2024 (Election Day)
By mail: Postmarked by November 4, 2024 and received within 10 days after the election
Lucas County Board of Elections:
3737 W Sylvania Avenue, Suite 121, Entrance B, Toledo OH, 43623
Check your voting status Click Here
This site provides information on how to register online, by mail, or in person. The Deadline is Oct 7. Additionally, it includes details about voter registration deadlines and how to check your registration status.For more specific information about voting in Ohio, including upcoming elections and polling locations, you can also visit the Ohio Secretary of State's official election page at:
Make sure to check these resources for the most up-to-date information regarding voter registration and upcoming elections.
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