Yes on Issue 1 on Election Day

By Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio
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A big thank you to those of you who volunteered to talk with voters on Election Day! 

Polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm on May 8.

Guidelines for Talking to Voters about Issue 1 on Election Day

1. Redistricting reformers must talk to voters only in the "Free Speech Zone" 100 feet from the polling place (outside the boundary indicated by the U.S. flags)
2. If the line to vote extends beyond the prohibited zone, stay at least 10 feet away from any person standing in line to vote.
3. When you arrive at the polling location, go inside and let the poll workers know who you are and that you understand the rules for talking to voters and handing out fliers (electioneering).  Encourage the poll workers to contact the Board of Elections if they are unfamiliar with the rules for the “Free Speech Zone.”
4. Even outside the 100-foot prohibited zone, be mindful of where you are. Be safe. Sidewalks are public property, and you may stand and talk to voters on those public sidewalks so long as you do not impede the traffic flow.

Sign up for our Election Day text service by texting PRIMARY to 864237 so that we can easily communicate on May 8. When you arrive, send a text to 864237 letting us know that you arrived with your county and polling location.  

If you run into any problems, please send a text to 864237 and we will get back to you as soon as possible or call 614-259-8388.


​A Few Suggestions for Election Day

1. Make sure you have water and appropriate clothes. Talking to voters will be easier if you are comfortable.  You may wish to bring a yard chair and a book or magazine in case things are quiet. Voters tend to come in spurts.
2. Bring a yard sign to stake near the entrance of the polling location if you have one.  Put a sign to put in a car window. Click here for printable signs.
3. Different talking points or raps work for different people.  The simplest is “Vote Yes on Issue 1 for fair elections.”
4. Short list of endorsements can be handy: Common Cause Ohio, the League of Women Voters of Ohio, Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Council of Churches, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Farm Bureau, the NAACP Ohio Chapter and Represent.US. Click here for an endorsement flyer.
5. It can be helpful to remind voters that Issue 1 is at the end of the ballot.  
6. Explaining gerrymandering is much easier when you have a congressional map with you.  Click here for a printable congressional map.
7. Some folks may wish to argue. It’s best to avoid any arguments and simply reply “Thanks for voting.”

Problems at the Polls?  Call the Election Protection Hotline 866-OUR-VOTE.

Electioneering 3501.35
During an election and the counting of the ballots, no person shall do any of the following:
(1) Loiter, congregate, or engage in any kind of election campaigning within the area between the polling place and the small flags of the United States placed on the thoroughfares and walkways leading to the polling place, and if the line of electors waiting to vote extends beyond those small flags, within ten feet of any elector in that line;
(4) Exhibit any ticket or ballot which the elector intends to cast;
(5) Solicit or in any manner attempt to influence any elector in casting the elector's vote.
(B)
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a journalist shall be allowed reasonable access to a polling place during an election. As used in this division, "journalist" has the same meaning as in division (B)(2) of section 2923.129 of the Revised Code.

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