Hear our voices: The Library teams up with local partners to get out the vote

Written by David Siders, Civic Engagement Coordinator, Downtown Main Library

This election season the Library is proudly partnering with the two nonpartisan groups, the brand-new Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative and the Ohio Voting Rights Coalition, opens a new window, to connect voters in our community to consistent and accurate voters’ rights education and information.

Both coalitions liason with the local and state-level League of Women Voters and Board of Elections organizations, among a number of other important and impactful nonpartisan organizations.

Between now and Nov. 2, we’re rolling out educational resources for you to share with family, neighbors, and friends. You can also look for your Library’s social media for fast info about voting deadlines, mail-in ballots, misconceptions surrounding voter eligibility, and more.

In the meantime, here’s how you can get involved:

• Talk with family, neighbors, and fellow community members and encourage them to check their voter registration status at the Board of Election’s Check Voter Registration, opens a new window page.
• Print and distribute Register to Vote, opens a new window and the application for Vote by Mail, opens a new window and share with people in your community. Or, visit our Library locations for free printouts of these documents.
• Spread the word that mail-in ballot applications, as well as completed ballots, can be dropped off in-person at the Hamilton County Board of Elections at 4700 Smith Road, 45212, opens a new window.
• Watch for helpful voter cards generously provided by the League of Women Voters that will be available at all of our locations.

About Our Nonpartisan Partners

Over the past few months, the community-based Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative has built a plan that engages voters in Greater Cincinnati and shares a unified vision for safe, nonpartisan voter engagement that centers on the fact that it is safe to vote at home.

This group is laying out a comprehensive digital and grassroots on-the-ground-plan to organize and engage our neighbors for safe, fair elections in November. More of the collaborative members include the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area, Cincinnati NAACP, Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the ACLU of Ohio, Ohio Votes, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, among others.

Special thanks to the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area (LWVCA), who helped us develop the basis of our voters’ education 2020 plan.

Timothy Viezer, a member of the LWVCA’s Board of Directors said, “The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area works to empower voters and defend democracy by providing voters with registration and nonpartisan election information. The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library is a natural and strong partner because its mission is to connect people with the world of ideas and information. CHPL strives to be the first choice in information.

“For years, CHPL branches have been a major distribution point for LWVCA's nonpartisan voter guides. As CHPL’s vision is to assure equitable access and to anticipate and meet changing needs, the LWVCA is excited to partner in new ways in this election year and in the face of a pandemic. We are providing printed and online content in the months ahead to help all eligible voters register and cast their informed votes in a safe manner.”

In the weeks ahead, watch for vitally helpful information on developments from Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative, more on voting by mail, your voting rights, dispelling myths and misconceptions about voting, how to become a poll worker, and more.