Congratulations to Paul Shipp, Mike O’Boyle, Jeanne Gallagher, Christina Morris, Mike O’Shea, Addie Olander & Kelly Frindt
The race between Lisa Havemann and Tom Hunt is not clear so here’s a summary: (thank you, Lisa!)
The results in Ward 1 are very close and may be impacted by provisional and absentee ballots. According to the Board of Elections (BOE), Rocky River had 109 provisional ballots. Since the BOE reports these by city, the number per ward is not known. Additionally, Rocky River had 213 unreturned ballots and 59 of those were from Ward 1. If postmarked by 11/6 and received by 11/11, the BOE will add the votes from those absentee ballots to the final tally. The accepted provisional and absentee ballot envelopes will not be opened until 11/20, and the votes will be reflected in the final certified results on 11/28/23.
While Ward 2 was also a close race, the unreturned ballots are not expected to adversely affect the outcome in Ward 2 (the race between Mike O’Boyle and Jim Moran). Given the fantastic turn out driven by Issue 1, the outstanding ballots likely to lean blue!
If the results are within 0.5%, an automatic recount will occur after 11/28. As many of you know, the poll ran out of Ward 1D ballots and had voters use Ward 1C ballots instead, causing voters to express concern as they left the polling location. Additionally, at the end of the night, three sets of scanner results were taped to the doors. However, two were for the same scanner. Given the confusion and closeness of the results, a recount is likely to be requested to ensure all votes were counted and recorded correctly.
We are getting together with our neighbors for our next meeting. Join us for holiday cheer and refreshments on November 30 at 7pm at the Porter Library in Westlake. Please RSVP! Thanks!
Rocky River Democrats stand with The Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, GrassRoots Resistance, Black Women’s Political Action Committee and the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats in Calling Out the PD/cleveland.com for their Cowardice!
Postcard Pizza Party on Thursday!
Fill out postcards, eat some pizza and learn about our local candidates! (speakers start at 7)
Hey folks. Although I am unopposed this year for Law Director, I don’t want anyone to think I take my election for granted. I have yard signs that we are going to place for just the last 14 days of the election.
No pressure, as I assume that many folks may be getting yard-sign fatigue at this point. We will place – and pick-up ASAP after the election.
Just text me at 216-470-8098 if you want one, or just email me at [email protected] if that is easier.
From the Party Affairs Director, Belynda J. Wesley
With just 19 days left until Election Day, it’s time to unite and finalize our strategies to engage with as many voters as possible in this crucial final push. We’re excited to announce our upcoming event, the “Three Weeks Out: Yes on Issue 1 Campaign Virtual Update,” this evening and we’re calling on all of you to be a part of this important initiative.
Event Details:
Date:This Evening: Thursday October 19th 6:30pm – 7:15pm
During this virtual event, Chair Walters will provide valuable insights into the current state of the race. We’ll celebrate our achievements thus far, and most importantly, outline the critical actions needed to secure victory. We are excited to unveil our comprehensive plans to maximize voter contact during the GOTV phase and provide you with clear action steps that your county can take to get actively involved.
Why Your Participation Matters:
It’s crucial that we come together and fill this Zoom call with as many Ohio Democrats as possible. We urge you to:
Ensure that your party members attend the event.
Share the Mobilize link across your social media accounts.
Send this event information to your email lists.
Remember that our similar call in August significantly boosted our organizing efforts. Let’s recreate that momentum and drive the YES campaign towards a resounding victory in these final crucial weeks.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your commitment and hard work to ensure the success of this event and our broader campaign.
Ward 1 Candidate, Lisa Havemann covers the City’s consideration of rezoning in her most recent newsletter, Building Bridges. Sign up on her website, https://lisahavemann.com/
Join the CDWC as they “Roe” down to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (map) at 9:00 am to vote!
CDWC have been working hard to restore reproductive rights since Roe was reversed in June 2022.
Now we can vote to ensure those rights in the Ohio constitution!
We will be at the BOE with cider and donuts.
Doctors from the Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights will be there too, from 9:30-10:30 am!
Lisa Havemann is running for Rocky River City Council in Ward 1. To learn more about her, please visit LisaHavemann.com or sign up for her newsletter. All are welcome regardless of whether they live in Ward 1.
Letters to the Club
Hello Rocky River Democrats,
Early voting begins next week. (delay in publishing, starts tomorrow!) Besides voting on several statewide and county issues, we will have the opportunity to elect a democratic majority to city council. We have a candidate on the ballot for every ward. Joining Ward 3 City Councilwoman Jeanne Gallagher again are Lisa Pfaff Haverman candidate for Ward 1 and Ward 2 candidate Michael O’Boyle. Ward 4 will have a candidate in Paul Shipp. For the at-large seats we have Councilwoman Christina Morris. It is important that for the At-large seats you only vote for Christina. Mike O’Shea will once again be our law director as he is running unopposed. One of the Rocky River Municipal Judges will have an open election and there are two seats on the Board of Education.
The County Democratic Party has a Podcast! Every Monday our Former US Representative candidate Matt Diemer can be found interviewing activists doing the work to improve our communities and inform us about the issues affecting us all. Look for CuyahogaToday wherever you listen to podcasts.
We will be working to re-elect Sherrod Brown to the Senate next year. Besides being the Chairman of the banking committee Senator Brown has been a strong advocate for veterans. He has been going to every county advocating and educating veterans on the recently passed PACT Act. While the focus of the act has been on those impacted by burn pits, it has also impacted those suffering from contact with Agent Orange and families suffering from the effects of drinking toxic water at some military installations like Camp Lejune. If you would like to participate in the County Democratic Party Veteran Caucus to re-elect Senator Brown let me know.
Thank you to everyone who has worked to get the petitions signed and educating voters on the two statewide Issues. Issue 1 is the reproductive freedom amendment. Issue 2 is the marijuana legalization amendment. I know the county party will be working pass to out signs and hold post card parties focusing on Issue 1. Some actions you can take are talking to your neighbors, friends, and family reminding them to vote. Ask them if they have a plan and if they need help. A new law was passed that limits the documentation a voter can use to verify registration to vote. Make sure you have the proper documents. It may take several weeks to access some documents. Begin that process now. Letters to the editor talking about why and who you are voting for can help the issues and candidates. A quick paragraph sent to the Westlife, Plain Dealer, or Akron Beacon Journal can help educate our community.
Thank you all for taking the time to vote in the past. Voting is the right that grants you all your other rights. If you don’t use it, you could lose it and other rights along with it. If you have any questions or issues that I can help with, please reach out.
October 10: Voter Registration Closes–update your voter info HERE
October 31, 8:30 pm: Deadline for applications by mail for an Vote-by-Mail/Absentee ballot to be mailed
November 5: Voting in-person at the Board of Elections ends at 5:00 pm
November 6: All Vote-by-Mail/Absentee ballots mailed anywhere in the U.S. must be postmarked on or before this date and received at the Board of Elections on or before Nov 11 in order to be counted
November 7, 6:30 am – 7:30 pm : Election Day – Provisional voting at the Board of Elections. All Vote-by-Mail/Absentee ballots returned in person must be received the Board of Elections by 7:30 to be counted.
Please refer to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website HERE for more information and FAQs
Please refer to and share the Ohio Voter Guide HERE for all the info on issues and candidates for November’s election!!
Please do support our Ward 1 candidate for City Council, Lisa Havemann at her website HERE, get a yard sign, and email her at [email protected] to subscribe to her newsletter, Building Bridges, where she provides you all the latest news in the Rocky River Community.
We are supporting Lisa, as well as our other Council candidates Jeanne Gallagher, Christina Morris, Mike O’Boyle, and Paul Shipp, and Mike O’Shea for Law Director, and hope you do too!!!
Rocky River School Board Candidate Forum
Monday the 23rd at 7pm at the Umerly Center next door to the Rec Center.
Go and listen to our candidates as they express their vision for RRCS!!
UAW Clambake! Saturday Oct 14, reserve your spot now!
The LWV Ohio is partnering with School Board School on a webinar on school board roles. This is a great opportunity for folks who are considering a run for their local school board, running forums for school board candidates, or advocacy that is affected by school board decisions.
School Board School is a Cincinnati-based organization that provides training in how school boards work to educate advocates and potential candidates. To learn more about them, go here.
The Facebook event page is here if you’d like to share.
And in other news:
Look over the tricky language that Frank LaRose engineered to confuse Ohio voters by reviewing the language of Issue 1 HERE
Please give our friend Matt Diemer’s latest podcast on the state of participatory budgeting in Cleveland,HEREand HERE!!
Please visit the links HERE and HERE to learn more about and identify extremist candidates for school board seats–these small races can have monumental consequences for education in our communities. No candidates for Rocky River are on the list, but please share this info with friends and family in affected communities!
Surprise, surprise…looks like we’re being redistricted again…check out this articleand maps to see the proposed changes!!