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While the issue of Justice is very broad, it might be the most important one. Our current political climate creates a lot of division but most Americans face the same everyday struggles. Despite these daily struggles, we must acknowledge that there are groups of American citizens and immigrants who are being disproportionately impacted by the shift of American leadership from democratic to authoritarian. This marginalization of specific groups does not align with the respect for humanity that I hold.
So what can we do?
VOTE! We the People still have a chance to make our voices heard despite those that seek to oppress that voice and undercut our rights. We have to make this election too big to rig.
Check out the Voter Information page for details on how to register and when.
Voter Rights
The current Republican supermajority in the Ohio legislature is not standing up for our rights. They are, in fact, actively working to take them away. The first example is voting rights. The goal of these efforts is to make it harder for people to vote, thus discouraging them from doing so and silencing their voice. Here are just a few legislative examples.
Revise deadline to return absent voter ballots (SB 293)
NOT Co-Sponsored by Tim Barhorst (current District 85 Rep). Signed by the Governor.
Prohibit use of ranked choice voting; withhold funding for use (SB 63)
Co-Sponsored by Tim Barhorst. Signed by the Governor.
“generally prohibit the use of ranked choice voting, to withhold Local Government Fund distributions from a municipality or chartered county that uses ranked choice voting, and to make changes to election petition records.”
The case FOR ranked choice voting.
House Bill 458, also already signed by Governor DeWine, implements highly restrictive voter ID laws. This law makes it so county-issued veterans’ identification and college IDs do not qualify as documents to vote.
Humans Rights = Reproductive Rights
As a woman, I am appalled at the continued attempts to roll back my rights to reproductive health. In 2023, Ohioans voted to amend the State’s Constitution in order to leave reproductive decisions up to a woman and her doctor. 57% of voters supported this amendment. That should be it, right? Not under the current Ohio legislature. The following are current bills that seek to limit a woman’s right to bodily autonomy:
Enact the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act (HB 370)
Co-Sponsored by Tim Barhorst. In House Committee.
“(G) Therefore, to entirely abolish abortion in this state.”
“(A) To acknowledge the sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, which should be equally protected from the beginning of biological development…”
Enact SHE WINS Act (HB 347)
NOT Co-Sponsored by Tim Barhorst – In House Committee.
“to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent.”
These bills are a direct attempt to overturn the will of the voters.
Human Rights
We the People Means Everyone.
We should not be making legislation that targets individual groups that exist in society, especially those based on biology. Rights that the many of us have fought for, and many of us have taken for granted, are at risk of being taken away. When I am elected to represent the voters of District 85, I will fight for the human rights of all Ohioans.