The election has passed but our commitment to a stronger Ohio remains.
Those organizing for an Ohio that works for all appreciate that organizing must occur 365 days per year. It happens between election cycles and leading up to elections. And it continues regardless of whether we like the electoral results.
That’s why we can’t afford to be discouraged or lulled into complacency. It isn’t enough to mobilize behind particular candidates, instead we must rally around and support a vision that improves conditions for all. We must insist that funders and donors invest in grassroots organizations that fuel progress today, tomorrow and in the future.
This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t pause and process what has happened. We should. But as we process electoral outcomes, we should remember that our work is bigger than one election or particular candidate. We are fighting for a vision of Ohio where all are seen, all belong, and all can thrive.
We know there is a lot of hand-wringing and deep thinking. We know that many are frustrated. But as we consider what happened and why, remember that context matters. While several candidates and measures that were important to progress failed, we are not without hope. We also have to keep things in perspective.
For instance, if we are discouraged by voter turnout, we have to consider whether voting polices are voter-friendly. If we are discouraged by the outcomes of Issue 1, we must consider the campaign of confusion that was run by our opponents. We must also remember that Ohio’s state legislative maps have been ruled unconstitutional on seven different occasions and that Ohioans have been voting under maps that have been gerrymandered and may be racially discriminatory. That means that regardless of who turns out, Black voters and other voters of color struggle to elect candidates of their choice.
We knew this which is why we took steps to pass Issue 1 to resolve this challenge. However, the amendment language and the summary language were deeply confusing. This was by design. The summary language deceptively suggested that the measure would have caused gerrymandering. How could people vote for a message when the summary of that language is purported to do the exact opposite of what the amendment actually did? While we certainly hoped Issue 1 would pass, we are being forced to go back to the drawing board and develop another strategy to protect voters’ interests from politicians intent on protecting their seats rather than creating fair districts.
As we do this, we are clear that public will is on our side. We know voters want change. This was clear from the many rounds of public opinion research we conducted. We also know that voters want more say over the way legislative districts are drawn. Many people we’ve spoken with are disgusted and frustrated to realize they thought they were voting to end gerrymandering because of the deceptive ballot language, only to discover they voted to continue the status quo that have given us the unconstitutional system we are currently living under. We remind them that we can’t allow what appears to be a setback to permanently deter us. Organizing is about perseverance. It is about fighting for change until change appears.
Our message to voters and organizers is simple: do not be discouraged. Do not fall into the trap of believing that victories are manifest only on Election Day. Refusing to quit is a victory unto itself. Learning from perceived failure is also a victory which allows for future success.
Our disappointment with Issue 1 shouldn’t diminish our resolve to help Black and brown voters. Our ancestors hoped against hope, even when the circumstances made hope seem foolish. We must channel their determination and hope as well as our own. If we do this, the tide will change, and the pendulum will swing toward the vision that improves conditions for all.
In order for this to happen, we must remember that organizing requires diligence, determination and dedication. It isn’t enough to mobilize behind particular candidates. It isn’t enough to embrace one ballot issue or another. We must mobilize behind a vision and then refuse to give up until that vision is realized.
We know many are disappointed, but we can’t afford to be stagnant. We must move forward. We must continue our fight. Our children and grandchildren are depending on our resolve. We should not let them down.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
