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Special Thanks to Our Committee Chairs

Congratulations to our new and returning precinct leaders for Rocky River. As we mentioned in an earlier newsletter, a precinct leader is responsible for organizing Democratic voters in their area and leading get-out-the-vote efforts within their precinct. This elected position forms the foundation of our party structure. Thanks to all of these people willing to give their time in this important election year!

• 1A   John Zuercher
• 1 B   Mike O’Shea
• 1 C   Russ Carson
• 1 D   Anne Connelly
• 2 A   Katie Abell
• 2 B   Kim Cook
• 2 C   Laura Roche
• 2 D   Maureen Devito
• 3 A   Jeanne Gallagher
• 3 B   Michael O’Neil
• 3 C   Matthew T. Fitzsimmons
• 3 D   Ann McCool
• 4 A   Mark Szabo
• 4 B    Liz Gerstenhaber
• 4 C   Lisa Majeski
• 4 D   Patricia A. Sharkey

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Voter Engagement Project

The Cuyahoga Dems Voter Engagement project was highly successful in the primary election, helping drive voter turnout above both the 2024 and 2022 primary levels. As we prepare to expand these efforts for the general election, fundraising is the critical first step. Become a CCDP partner and help us double our outreach to turn out Democratic voters this November.

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Don’t Forget our May Meeting

Mark your calendars for the May Rocky River Democrats meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at the Rocky River Library. With Memorial Day and the end of the school year approaching, schedules can get busy and it’s easy to miss our monthly gatherings. But in this critical election year, every meeting matters—hope to see you there!

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One Final Thought

The recent Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s congressional maps is already opening the door for Republican-led legislatures across the country to redraw districts in their favor ahead of future elections. When you can’t win on ideas, you rig the map. That’s the strategy.

The truth is, gerrymandering makes democracy harder, but it does not make outcomes inevitable. Every distorted district still contains real voters with real choices. The answer is not to tune out or give up — it’s to organize harder, speak louder, and convince more people that Democratic values actually fight for working families, voting rights, public education, healthcare, and basic fairness. The maps may be rigged, but elections are still decided by the people who show up.

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Upcoming Campaign Events

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

Rep. Bride Sweeney Fundraiser – May 28

Hi Rocky River Democratic Club! My father and I are hosting a joint fundraiser on May 28th! Come join us!

• Date: May 28, 2026
• Time: 5pm – 7pm
• Location: The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland

Click here for the full invitation and QR codes.

Fundraiser for Senator Nickie Antonio – June 4

• Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
• Immigrant Son Brewery
• Lakewood, OH

Click here to RSVP/Donate

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Get Involved – Other Events and Actions

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Deep Canvassing Training from We The Fighters

‘We The Fighters’ is launching a national deep canvass strategy in key battleground Districts to hold Republican Members of Congress accountable at the ballot box this November. Persuasion and meaning-making will be a crucial part of the strategy to impact the 2026 midterm elections. ‘Deep canvassing’ is one of the most effective strategies to help persuade conflicted voters.  Click here to learn more or to register!

• Part 1 – Thursday, May 21 – Learn about deep canvassing
• Part 2 – Thursday, May 28 – Dive into the structure of deep canvassing

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PRIDE in the CLE – Saturday, June 6, 2026

Be part of Northeast Ohio’s biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ community, visibility, and joy.

Don’t miss your chance to get involved! MORE INFO

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Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

Join your neighbors and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.

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

Primary Election Recap

Congratulations to all the winners in the primary election and thank you to every candidate who stepped forward to run. We also extend our  gratitude to all the candidates who donated their time and energy to appear before the club, speak with members, and share their earnest and sincere vision for reshaping our democracy so it continues to serve all citizens in an equitable fashion.

For a complete list of candidates in the upcoming general election, click here and filter the results for Rocky River. We will also be updating our 2026 election information page soon with the official candidate list and links to candidate information.

Looking for ways to keep the momentum going? Stay tuned for more information on volunteer opportunities and other ways to engage!

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A Note About the Primary

from David Brock, Chair Cuyahoga Democrats

Cuyahoga County turnout in Tuesday’s primary exceeded expectations as well as surpassing turnout in the 2022 and 2024 primaries. We also surpassed turnout in both Franklin and Hamilton Counties. This was driven in part by an intentional, and enormous, increase in Vote-By-Mail ballots so much so that we had nearly 4 times as many people vote-by-mail as our friends in Franklin County did. 

Congratulations to all the candidates who won last night. With Brian Poindexter’s victory, along with Congresswoman Shontel Brown’s, we have a genuine chance this cycle to make our entire county’s Congressional delegation Blue. Thanks to all the candidates who ran and didn’t win. And most importantly, thank you to the 800+ people who ran for our Central Committee. Serving our party requires a level of devotion and sacrifice that makes all future successes possible. 

All the endorsed candidates won last night in part because of the ongoing professionalization of party operations. Thanks to Representative Chris Glassburn for his continued stewardship of our Sample Ballot program, and the hundreds who stepped up on Election Day and before, to ensure its success. A success so overwhelming it’s now being imitated all over this county. 

We can get caught up on who won or lost precinct races, but working together is the only way we’re going to win this county and state in the Fall. This isn’t about Sherrod Brown or Amy Acton or Shontel Brown or any one candidate, but about all of us as Democrats operating in unison to defeat real threats to our well-being. We are not working to elect the perfect candidate, but to reclaim and build on a legacy that emphasizes equal opportunities, economic justice, and ending a system that favors the few while harming the many. 

On to November and let’s win there. 

David Brock

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Green Team at EarthFest

Looking for a fun family activity this Saturday? Join the Rocky River Green Team at EarthFest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church. This annual event is a great opportunity to enjoy the day, connect with the community, and support local groups focused on environmental sustainability.

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May Meeting Scheduled

Mark your calendars for the May Rocky River Democrats meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at the Rocky River Library. With Memorial Day and the end of the school year approaching, schedules can get busy and it’s easy to miss our monthly gatherings. But in this critical election year, every meeting matters—hope to see you there!

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Upcoming Campaign Events

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

Fundraiser for Nickie Antonio – June 4

• Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
• Immigrant Son Brewery
• Lakewood, OH

Click here to RSVP/Donate

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Get Involved – Other Events and Actions

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PRIDE in the CLE – Saturday, June 6, 2026

Be part of Northeast Ohio’s biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ community, visibility, and joy.

Don’t miss your chance to get involved! MORE INFO

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Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

The other day, someone asked me why there was someone dressed like a dinosaur on the sidewalk by Crocker Park mall. Join other people and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.

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

Meeting Recap

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Rocky River Dems meeting last night!  We always appreciate hearing different perspectives from candidates and their representatives. Special thanks to Alison Russo, candidate for Secretary of State, who answered questions about what the role of the Secretary of State is in government and why it is important.  

We would also like to extend a big thanks to our guest speaker Nima Homani, a first-generation Iranian-American who shared insights into the long and difficult history between the United States and Iran which helped to shape where we are today.  We deeply appreciate his insights as we all struggle to make sense of current events.

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May 5 – Primary Election Updates

Looking for candidate guides, sample ballots and just some extra info? Check out the following resources:

• Find your official Sample Ballots boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/Get-a-Sample-Ballot
• Check out the Rocky River Dems Candidate Guide
• See the Cuyahoga Dems endorsed candidate list

Planning on voting early? You still have have time! Early In-Person Voting at the Board of Elections is continuing through the weekend (Saturday 8am-4pm) and Sunday 1-5pm). Note: there is no early voting on Monday, May 4.

Polling places open at 6:30am on Tuesday, May 5 and remain open until 7:30pm. Not sure where your polling place is? Click here to find it.

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A Note About Ballot Drop Boxes

With the recent election changes, ballots must be received at the Board of Elections by election day.  If you forgot to mail yours, the ballot drop box is the next best thing. Located by the county board of elections building downtown, it is a safe and convenient way to make sure your ballot is counted. 

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Election Day Volunteers Needed

• The Cuyahoga Democrats are looking for volunteers to pass out sample ballots at election sites on Election Day. Shifts are usually 2-3 hours in length. In our community, the Rocky River Civic Center and the Rocky River Presbyterian locations still need volunteers. Want to get involved? Click the signup link here.

• The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is looking for volunteers at its downtown facility from 7:30-11:30pm. Follow the link for more information and to volunteer.

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One Last Thought

If you are reading this, you are most likely already an engaged voter planning to participate in the May 5 primary election.  But just in case you were on the fence about it (or are talking with someone who doesn’t think it is worth the effort) here is the number one reason to vote in the primary:

If you’ve ever felt that the November election was the choice between candidates that do not fully represent your beliefs, lack of participation in the primary election may be the reason why.

The reason? The candidates on the general election ballot are usually chosen by a much smaller group of voters.  When primary turnout is low, those decisions reflect only a limited portion of the electorate.  The more people who participate, the more likely it is that the candidates running in November reflect the group they are representing.  And while this may sound obvious to someone who already participates in primary elections, it probably isn’t to everyone else.

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Upcoming Campaign Events

There is a lot going on this weekend!

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

Bernie Sanders Coming to Parma

Bernie Sanders will be coming to Valley Forge High School on Friday, May 1 with special guest Brian Poindexter and Rep. Chris Deluzio. Doors open at 6pm, with the speaking program starting at 7pm. For more information and to register for the event, click here.

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Meet & Greet with Dr. Amy Acton – May 2

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Rally for Democracy with Nickie Antonio – May 2

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Get Involved – Other Events and Actions

May Day Protest – May 1

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PRIDE in the CLE – Saturday, June 6, 2026

Be part of Northeast Ohio’s biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ community, visibility, and joy.

Applications are on a rolling schedule. Don’t miss your chance to get involved! MORE INFO

Application Dates:

• March participants: Now-May 25
• Sponsorships & Ads: Now-May 1
• Volunteers: Now-May 1

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Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

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

Join us for the next meeting – April 28

Join us for another interesting evening with the Rocky River Dems! Our currently scheduled speakers include Allison Russo, candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, and Nima Homani, an Iranian citizen currently living in the Cleveland area who will provide his unique perspective on Iran and the situation in the Middle East. Tuesday, April 28 at the Rocky River Public Library. Click here to register for the event.

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Primary Election Round Up

As we near the finish line on this primary election season, here’s a few reminders and a few events.

• Tuesday, April 28 is the Absentee Ballot Request Deadline! Click here to request a vote by mail ballot and for more information.
• Early In-Person Voting at the Board of Elections is happening now through Sunday, May 3, at 5:00 pm
• Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 5 from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm

Sample ballots are available online. Review your ballot before you vote! Visit boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/Get-a-Sample-Ballot

Need help breaking down the candidates? Check out this candidate guide.

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Secretary of State Candidate Forum – Saturday, April 25

Here’s your chance to meet the democratic candidates for Ohio Secretary of State. Allison Russo and Bryan Handley will appear in a forum on Saturday, April 25 at Strongsville Old Town Hall. Doors open at 6pm, forum starts at 6:30pm. This event is sponsored by the Berea, Midpark, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville Democratic Clubs.

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Bernie Sanders Coming to Parma

Bernie Sanders will be coming to Valley Forge High School on Friday, May 1 with special guest Brian Poindexter and Rep. Chris Deluzio. Doors open at 6pm, with the speaking program starting at 7pm. For more information and to register for the event, click here.

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Upcoming Campaign Events

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

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Michael Eisner Voter Town Hall – April 23

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Meet Dr. Bryan Hambley – April 24

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Brian Poindexter Event – April 24

John Kulewicz Fundraiser – April 26

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Meet & Greet with Dr. Amy Acton – May 2

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Get Involved – Other Events and Actions

May Day Protest – May 1

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Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

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

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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.”

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Upcoming Campaign Events

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

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Judge Vodrey Reelection Campaign Party – April 15

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Candidates Meet & Eat – April 18

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David Pepper and Allison Russo – April 19

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Judge Kira Krivosh Fundraiser – April 20

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Michael Eisner Voter Town Hall – April 23

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A Conversation with Dr. Bryan Hambley – April 23

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John Kulewicz Fundraiser – April 26

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Get Involved – Other Events and Actions

May Day Protest – May 1

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Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

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

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.

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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.

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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:

• Allison Russo — https://allisonrusso.com/
• Bryan Hambley — https://www.hambleyforohio.com/

There is currently no Democratic Party endorsement for this race.

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Upcoming Campaign Events

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

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Allison Russo Event – April 9

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Judge Vodrey Fundraising Event – April 15

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David Pepper Meet & Greet- April 15

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David Pepper and Allison Russo – April 19

Judge Kira Krivosh Fundraiser – April 20

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Other Events and Actions

May Day Protest – May 1

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Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!

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

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

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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.

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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

           

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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

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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

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

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