Author name: Rocky River Democrats

RR Dems News and Events – April 16, 2026

Primary Election Guide

The new Primary Guide is now live on Rocky River Dems website! We’ve put together all sorts of useful links to general election resources, sample ballots and other great information in one easy location.

Speaking of great information, a big thanks to our friends at the Strongsville Democrats for sharing this great Candidate Resource with us. This is available as a downloadable pdf, and has the names, website links and other useful information. Download it from our website here!

Early Voting is Now Available

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections makes it convenient and easy to vote early at their beautiful new downtown location on Superior Avenue. (The parking is much better too!) If kids, school and work make it difficult for you to get to the polls on election day, consider trying in-person voting. Saturday and Sunday hours are available on May 2 and 3. For more information and directions to their downtown location, click here.

Poll Monitor Recruitment Phone Banks Training Event – Sunday, April 19.

From Juan Delgado Urcino – Our team working with the Voter Access department has organized a virtual event to have volunteers recruit past poll monitors in our communities and encourage them to join us once again as we head into our primaries across the state. No experience is needed; the volunteer group running this virtual event will train everyone who signs up and volunteers may join from home. Poll Monitor Recruitment Phone Banks!

Next Rocky River Dems meeting – April 28

Mark your calendars for the next meeting – Tuesday, April 28 at the Rocky River Public Library. Our currently scheduled speakers include Allison Russo, candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, and Nima Homani, who will be speaking on Iran and the situation in the Middle East. Click here to register for the event.

One Last Thought

Amid all of the talk about the primaries, our Republican-controlled statehouse continues to push through bills like Ohio HB 249, which passed the House in March and is moving to the Senate.  This bill, with the scarily titled “Indecent Exposure Modernization Act”, essentially bans drag shows in public, with penalties ranging from a first degree misdemeanor to a fifth degree felony.  For a more detailed breakdown of this bill, check out this article from the Ohio Capital Journal.

This bill is another example of the dangerous disconnect between the Republican party in Ohio and the concerns of everyday people.  As the house minority leader Dani Isaccson stated, “The majority in the legislature is focused on drag shows, while Ohioans are worried about how to pay the bills.”

Upcoming Campaign Events

Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.

Judge Vodrey Reelection Campaign Party – April 15

Candidates Meet & Eat – April 18

David Pepper and Allison Russo – April 19

Judge Kira Krivosh Fundraiser – April 20

Michael Eisner Voter Town Hall – April 23

A Conversation with Dr. Bryan Hambley – April 23

John Kulewicz Fundraiser – April 26

Get Involved – Other Events and Actions

May Day Protest – May 1

Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

RR Dems News and Events – April 9, 2026

In this issue, we’re sharing some more useful info on the upcoming primaries, including a breakdown of the Secretary of State race.

Just a reminder, our next meeting is Tuesday, April 28!

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who renewed their membership this year! As a reminder, membership dues support all the Rocky River Dems activities including door hangers, signs, mailers and other “get out the vote” literature! If you haven’t done so already, click here to renew and thank you for your continued support.

Important Primary Election Information

Voting by Mail

If You (or Someone You Know) is Planning to Vote by Mail…

Plan ahead. Request your mail-in ballot early – you can request your ballot for the May 2026 PrimaryNOW. Then, mail your completed ballot at least one week prior to Election Day, May 5. After mailing, you can track your ballot. Sign up on the Board of Elections website.

Please note: A postmark is now basically irrelevant: your mail-in ballot must arrive at the Board of Elections by Election Day or it will not be counted. Mail early or use the Board of Elections Drop Box (see info below).

If you still want to ensure that your return ballot envelope receives a postmark with a date aligning with the date you mailed it, you can bring your ballot mail to the retail counter at a Postal Service retail location and request a manual postmark, which will be applied free of charge upon accepting custody of the mailpiece.

Also note: The Postal Service offers Certified Mail or Registered Mail service at its Post Office retail counters for purchase. If you purchase these services, you will get a receipt that includes tracking information.

Find U.S. Postal Service information about election mail here.

Find Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Vote-by-Mail information (including tracking your ballot) here.

Breaking Down the Primaries

Continuing Series on the Primaries – Secretary of State

The Ohio Secretary of State serves as Ohio’s chief elections official, overseeing how elections are conducted, setting voting rules, certifying results, and managing business filings and official state records. Because the office directly controls election administration, its decisions can shape everything from ballot access to how voting is carried out across the state.

The office has been held by Republicans since 2011, but there is no incumbent this year. With ongoing challenges around voting access and election security, this is an important opportunity for Democrats to win this seat.

The candidates on the primary ballot for this position are:

There is currently no Democratic Party endorsement for this race.

Upcoming Campaign Events

Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.

Allison Russo Event – April 9

Judge Vodrey Fundraising Event – April 15

David Pepper Meet & Greet- April 15

David Pepper and Allison Russo – April 19

Judge Kira Krivosh Fundraiser – April 20

Other Events and Actions

May Day Protest – May 1

Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

Rocky River Dems – April Meeting

Event Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Please join us for our monthly meeting on April 28 at the Rocky River Public Library. Scheduled speakers to be announced later in the month.

You can register for the event here. Hope to see you there!

  • Location:  Rocky River Public Library
  • Date:  April 28, 2026
  • Time:  Doors open at 6:30pm. Meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

RR Dems News and Events – April 2, 2026

This weekend, we were energized by all the participation in No Kings rallies throughout our region, including one right here in Rocky River!  Let’s keep that momentum going through this primary season!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, its time to renew your membership! Click here to renew and thank you for your continued support.

March Meeting Recap

It was a great showing at our monthly meeting this week! Special thanks goes out to our scheduled speakers, Amanda Sebroskey and Juan Delgado Urcino, the Regional Organizing Director – Cuyahoga County for the Ohio Democratic Party. Juan is gathering volunteers to help mobilize voters in the upcoming elections. If you missed the chance to sign up at the meeting on Wednesday, you can sign up using the Ohio Dems Volunteer Interest Sign Up Form  and Juan will be in touch in the next few weeks.

As always, a big thank you to the many candidates who stopped in. We have seen many of these candidates multiple times, and we really appreciate their continued commitment to connecting with our group.

7th Congressional District Candidate Forum

The Congressional Candidate forum on Wednesday night was a great chance to hear from all 8 candidates, including some you may not have seen before. For a complete list of the candidates with links to their websites, check out our March 19 Newsletter. If you missed the live event on Wednesday night, the recording will be available soon on the League of Women Voters youtube channel. Thanks to the Bay Village, Rocky River, and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters for organizing and hosting this event.

Voter Registration Deadline – April 6

Voter Registration Deadline – April 6

We’ve said it over and over again, but it is still worth repeating.  If you plan on voting in the primary, check the website to make sure your registration is up to date.  Thousands of people were removed from the voter rolls without their knowledge, so even if  you’ve voted recently, its still worth checking.  Early voting starts April 7.

Breaking Down the Primaries

Sample Ballots Now Available

Continuing our series on the Primaries, sample ballots are now available!  Check out this link to download find yours.

What is a State Central Committee member and why are they on the ballot?

If you haven’t voted in a lot of primaries, there are two contests you may not be familiar with:  Member of the State Central Committee (Man and Woman).  Central committee members manage party operations and direct policies of the Ohio Democratic party so they are an important, behind the scenes position.  For a concise breakdown of the what these roles do, here is an informative article from the League of Women Voters. 

Most central committee members don’t have websites and only a few may campaign, so it can be difficult to know who to vote for.  While a lot of it depends upon name recognition, if you are deciding between a few candidates think about this: a good central committee member is reliable, engaged with their neighborhood, helps register and turn out voters, supports candidates locally, and communicates effectively with everyday people.

Primary Election Deadlines

Primary elections are just around the corner! When more voters participate, the candidates are more likely to reflect the interests and concerns of the full community. These races matter, especially this year. Be sure to take part!

  • April 6: Voter Registration Deadline
  • April 7: Start of Early Voting
  • April 28: Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot
  • May 5: Primary Election Day

Upcoming Events

While candidate activity has certainly slowed in the last few weeks, visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.

Allison Russo Event – April 9

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

RR Dems News and Events – March 26, 2026

From protests to candidate forums – its going to be a busy week this week!

No Kings III – Saturday, March 28

Got your sign ready? 

No Kings III is this weekend and it’s expected to be even bigger than the last two! There are gatherings happening all across our area, from downtown Cleveland to Strongsville, Avon Lake, and Parma.. For more information, check out the official NoKings site.

Rocky River is showing up too! Join your neighbors in front of – and across from – the Presidential Apartments (3410 Wooster Rd.) from 1:00–2:30 PM. Parking is available at The Mountain of the Lord Church on the west side of Wooster Road.

As we said last week, the past two protests have been organized, peaceful expressions of people’s frustrations, exactly what civic (and civil!) participation looks like.

Can’t stay for the protest? You can still be part of it! Drive by, wave, snap a few photos, and share them on social media. Every show of support helps spread the word and build momentum.

Join us for our March meeting – Tuesday, March 31

Please join your fellow Dems as we get set for the upcoming primaries! Tuesday, March 31 at the Rocky River Library to catch up on everything that happened and what’s to come in April! Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting starts promptly at 7pm. RSVP HERE

  • Location: Rocky River Public Library
  • Doors open: 6:30pm
  • Meeting starts: 7:00pm

           

Congressional Candidate Forum – April 1

Don’t miss the US House District 7 Congressional Candidate Forum, hosted by the Bay Village, Rocky River, and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters! This event will also be livestreamed on their Youtube channel. Click here for more info or to register to attend.

  • Location: Don Umerley Civic Center
  • Time: 6:30pm

Primary Election Deadlines

Primary elections are just around the corner! When more voters participate, the candidates are more likely to reflect the interests and concerns of the full community. These races matter, especially this year. Be sure to take part!

  • April 6: Voter Registration Deadline
  • April 7: Start of Early Voting
  • April 28: Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot
  • May 5: Primary Election Day

Want to learn more? Visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming events and actions.

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

RR Dems News and Events – March 19, 2026

Join us for our March meeting!

Its been a busy month, so please join us on Tuesday, March 31 at the Rocky River Library to catch up on everything that happened and what’s to come in April! Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting starts promptly at 7pm. RSVP HERE

           

SAVE Act Moves Forward           

We’ve been raising concerns about the SAVE Act for several weeks, and growing public outcry against the bill appears to be having an impact. However, continued pressure from President Trump keeps the bill moving forward. For a concise analysis of the motivations behind this bill, and potential impacts if it passes, check out (and share!) this great article from the Brennan Center for Justice. 

Its important to let Senators Moreno and Husted know how you feel about this bill!

Upcoming Primaries – US District 07 Candidates

Some voters skip primaries because there are so many candidates to sort through. As an example, one of the most competitive races this year is for U.S. House District 07, currently held by Republican incumbent Max Miller. Based on the 2026 Board of Elections filing, there are currently 8 Democratic candidates for this seat, although the list on the actual ballot may be shorter. 

We’ve met several of them at our monthly meetings and other local events. But to help you put names to faces and learn a bit more about them, below is a list of candidates, along with links to their websites (where available). This can be great prep for the Candidate Forum for this seat on April 1. (For more info on that event, check out the Upcoming Campaign Events below.)

John R. Butchko

Ann Marie Donegan

Michael Eisner

Ed FitzGerald

 Keith Mundy

Brian Poindexter

Laura Rodriguez-Carbone

Scott Schulz

No Kings Protest – Saturday, March 28

To paraphrase an idea from Dr. Martin Luther King – Protest is the voice of the unheard.  If this government’s actions have you feeling unheard, check out the upcoming “No Kings” protest on March 28.  The past two protests have been organized, peaceful expressions of people’s frustrations, and a chance to gather as part of a larger community.

While the main protest site is downtown Cleveland at the Free Stamp, other suburban sites are popping up all over the area including ones in Strongsville and Lakewood.  Check out NoKings.Org for a location near you, and don’t forget your sign!

Don’t want to travel to attend an official protest?  Join some of your fellow Rocky River residents in front of and across from the Presidential Apartments at 3410 Wooster Rd.  from 1-2:30pm on Saturday, March 28.   Bring your signs and your voice!!

Primary Election Deadlines

Primary elections are just around the corner! When more voters participate, the candidates are more likely to reflect the interests and concerns of the full community. These races matter, especially this year. Be sure to take part!

  • April 6: Voter Registration Deadline
  • April 7: Start of Early Voting
  • April 28: Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot
  • May 5: Primary Election Day

UPCOMING CAMPAIGN EVENTS

Visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming events and actions.

LWV Congressional Candidate Forum – April 1

Join the Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters at a congressional candidate forum for US House District 7 democratic candidates on the May 7 primary ballot. This event will also be livestreamed on their Youtube channel. Click here for more info or to register to attend.

Location: Don Umerley Civic Center, Rocky River

Time: 6:30pm

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIONS

No Kings III – Saturday, March 28

Get your signs ready for No Kings III, Saturday March 28 at multiple locations throughout the Cleveland area.

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

RR Dems News and Events – March 12, 2026

.With primary voting just around the corner, it’s important that voters understand the recent changes to our voting laws and voter registration requirements. Clear information helps ensure that every eligible voter knows how to participate and make their voice heard.

In this issue, you’ll find helpful resources to ensure that everyone who wants to vote has the information they need to do so. We encourage you to share these resources widely with friends, family, and neighbors so that every eligible voter in our community has the opportunity to participate.

For some really useful information about Primary elections in general, who can vote and why they should, check out this link from the League of Women Voters website.

Confused by which district your in or who is on the ballot? The Sample Ballot page on the Board of Elections website provides a customized list once you enter some personal information. Note: sample ballots are not available yet.

Explaining the Changes

If you have friends, relatives or neighbors who always vote by mail (even ones you never talk politics with), they will appreciate this clear, easy-to-understand information from the Board of Elections about changes to the vote by mail process. Recent Election Law Updates

Primary Election Deadlines

Primary elections are just around the corner! When more voters participate, the candidates are more likely to reflect the interests and concerns of the full community. These races matter, especially this year. Be sure to take part!

  • April 6: Voter Registration Deadline
  • April 7: Start of Early Voting
  • April 28: Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot
  • May 5: Primary Election Day

UPCOMING CAMPAIGN EVENTS

Visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming events and actions.

Michael Eisner Night Out in CLE – March 12

This is the last chance to buy tickets and join me for a great NIGHT OUT in CLE on Thursday, March 12, anytime from 5-9 pm. Come discuss our district, enjoy delicious food & cocktails and the music of singer / songwriter Trey Taylor. Ticket sales close Monday, March 9 so please order now.
* Discounts for: Military, Educators, Government personnel, students and political organizers.

LWV Congressional Candidate Forum – April 1

Join the Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters at a congressional candidate forum for US House District 7 democratic candidates on the May 7 primary ballot.

Location: Don Umerley Civic Center, Rocky River

Time: 6:30pm

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIONS

No Kings III – Saturday, March 28

Get your signs ready for No Kings III, Saturday March 28 at multiple locations throughout the Cleveland area.

From Honesty Teams for Ohio Education

We spend so much time fighting to stop dangerous legislation, but it’s just as important to keep fighting for positive legislation.

HB 715 – A voucher bill that gives us hope!  

HB 715 is a common-sense new bill that would provide Ohio parents information they need to make an informed decision about where they send their kids to school.

Among other improvements, the bill would require the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to create a system that lets Ohioans compare the performance of voucher students in a chartered nonpublic school with the performance of similar students enrolled in nearby schools. Learn more here.

TAKE ACTION: Ask Education Committee Chair Sarah Fowler Arthur to give HB 715 hearings and pass it through committee: 

Phone: (614) 466-1405

Email: Rep99@OhioHouse.gov 

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

RR Dems News and Events – March 5, 2026

February Meeting Wrap Up

Thank you to everyone who came out for February’s meeting – what a great crowd and a really engaging conversation!  We were glad to welcome our guest speaker, William Vodrey of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, who shared his insights on how Donald Trump has challenged long-standing norms around the rule of law.  It was a timely and thought-provoking discussion, especially given everything happening nationally right now. 

We also wanted to thank all of the local and national candidates who came out to meet and speak with club members! Thank again to everyone who showed up, asked questions and helped make it such a meaningful evening. 

Congressional Candidate Forum Announced

The Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters are presenting a congressional candidate forum for US House District 7 democratic candidates on the May 7 primary ballot. Join them on April 1 at the Don Umerley Civic Center.

UPCOMING CAMPAIGN EVENTS

Visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming events and actions.

Scott Dimauro Event – March 9

More info HERE!!

Scott Schulz Cookies and Conversation – March 11

Scott Schulz is hosting a Cookies and Conversation meeting for Bay Village, Westlake and Rocky River Residents! Join Scott for a small-group conversation about what matters to you most as we bring more compassion, fairness, and leadership to Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.

Location: Bay Village Branch Library,  27400 Wolf Rd, Bay Village, OH

Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Date: March 11, 2026

Michael Eisner Night Out in CLE – March 12

This is the last chance to buy tickets and join me for a great NIGHT OUT in CLE on Thursday, March 12, anytime from 5-9 pm. Come discuss our district, enjoy delicious food & cocktails and the music of singer / songwriter Trey Taylor. Ticket sales close Monday, March 9 so please order now.
* Discounts for: Military, Educators, Government personnel, students and political organizers.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

No Kings III – Saturday, March 28

Get your signs ready for No Kings III, Saturday March 28 at multiple locations throughout the Cleveland area.

Voucher Campaign – Honesty Teams for Ohio Education

Are you hearing more about private school vouchers taking funding from Ohio public schools?

Want to learn more, ask questions, and learn simple but powerful ways you can take action, or even join the team?

Meet Honesty for Ohio Education organizers and campaign leaders from around the state in a casual Zoom environment to get the Voucher Campaign 101.

Via Zoom – offered at noon and 7:00 pm on March 9

REGISTER

Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.

LWV’s Democratic Congressional Candidate Forum

Event Date: April 1, 2026

The Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters are presenting a congressional candidate forum for US House District 7 democratic candidates on the May 7 primary ballot. The event will also be livestreamed on their Youtube channel. Click here for more info and to register.

Location:  Don Umerley Civic Center

Date:  April 1, 2026

Time:  6:30 p.m.

Rocky River Dems – March Meeting

Event Date: March 31, 2026

Please join us for our monthly meeting on March 31 at the Rocky River Public Library.

We have two scheduled speakers this month.  Amanda Sebroskey from the Bay Village Dems will join us to discuss House Joint Resolution 2 and the dangers of an Article V Convention.  We will also be joined by Juan Delgado Urcino, the Regional Organizing Director – Cuyahoga County for the Ohio Democratic Party who will talk about activating voters for the upcoming midterms. 

You can register for the event here. Hope to see you there!

  • Location:  Rocky River Public Library
  • Date:  March 31, 2026
  • Time:  Doors open at 6:30pm. Meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

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