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OCSEA launches voter education campaign

Oct. 25, 2004 - The largest state employees union today launched a radio-based advertising campaign aimed at reducing the number of contested and uncounted ballots in the Nov. 2 election. The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association said it is running ads through election day on radio stations in major population areas in an effort to explain voters’ rights and shrink the number of discarded ballots.

“We were shocked when we learned that some 93,000 ballots had to be discarded in 2000 because of punch card mistakes and other voting problems,” said OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas. “Most of those could have prevented.”

Douglas also said the ads will cut down on problems on Election Day. “The ads have practical advice about voting rights, procedures, provisional ballots and other methods to make sure everyone’s vote is counted.”

> Ad # 1  (mp3) - Listen now

> Ad # 2  (mp3) - Listen now

OCSEA President Ron Alexander said the ads are strategically aimed. “We have three targets: Those that live in regions where there was a high ballot rejection-rate in 2000, regions where there is concern about voter disenfranchisement, and first-time voters. In particular, we are targeting Cincinnati, Cleveland/Akron, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo.

Alexander said there are two versions of the ads. “One of the ads targets punch card problems and will only be aired where that system is used. The second ad provides general voting rights and guidance. Both ads refer listeners to the Ohio Voter Protection Project’s 1-866-OUR-VOTE toll-free hotline for additional problems.

OCSEA represents 37,000 state and other public employees, and is an affiliate of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

See Related

Ad Script # 1 - Voters' rights and how to get help at the polls

Flier #1 - Know your rights (PDF)

Ad Script # 2 - Punch card problems

Flier # 2 - How to use the punch card system (PDF)

Radio Stations - Ad airs on nearly two dozen stations in high-risk areas