My Ballot for the November 8, 2022 Election
Keith Wilson’s votes on the Nov 8, 2022 ballot for Shaker Heights, Ohio.
FYI: These are my personal votes, not endorsements.
Here’s a non-annotated version of this document: Printable Keith Wilson Ballot for November 8, 2022
To make these recommendations, I research and speak with lawyers and activists I have worked with over the years. I run archivingpoliceviolence.org, I’m a registered Democrat, I’m a member of DSA, and I’m on the steering committee of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus (CCPC).
Note: Many of the races are partisan, meaning the ballots show the candidates’ party affiliations. For brevity, I’m not including these races in this document unless I have something useful to say; with the exception of Shontel Brown, I will be voting for the Democrat in every contested partisan race. (Brown will win by at least 50 points over her antisemitic Republican opponent, so there’s no reason to consider voting for either unethical and unqualified candidate. I’ll abstain.) A new rule in Ohio puts party affiliation on the ballot for Supreme and Appellate Court candidates, making things relatively easy, but the Court of Common Pleas races are still technically non-partisan (although the races typically have a Democrat against a Republican).
For Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Nan Whaley and Cheryl L. Stephens (Endorsed by Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus)
It’s upsetting that DeWine has been able to maintain an image as a decent Governor despite the state falling behind; various scandals including First Energy corruption; as well as his truly radical right-wing positions such as rejecting Federal Unemployment benefits, defying the Ohio Supreme Court regarding redistricting, and overseeing the attempt at banning abortion.
I looked into the write-in candidates, and one of them has built his campaign around being pro-life, but he has a progressive agenda. If you know anybody planning to vote for DeWine because they are pro-life, try pointing out DeWine’s shortcomings and suggesting they write in Shane Hoffman instead. From Hoffman’s website: “We must protect our unborn, the mothers who bear them, and the families they’re raised in. This includes easy access to quality healthcare before and after birth. … Laws that victimize women when they’re at their most vulnerable or turn neighbors into bounty hunters are at best counterproductive. These kinds of laws destroy community and create division at a time when we need to be coming together to empower communities.”
For County Executive
Chris Ronayne (Endorsed by Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus)
Judging by the number of Lee Weingart signs in Shaker Heights, where Republicans tend to prefer to remain closeted, one might assume the Weingart is one of those relatively decent Republicans who may be a bit more conservative than local Democrats, but who would never support the heinous national Republican Party — the political organization most responsible for humanity’s impending climate catastrophe and working to women and the poor in prison for abortion and poverty. If so, you’d be wrong: as recently as August 22, Weingart donated $1000 to the Republican National Committee.
I like that Ronayne has made a commitment to the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless that he will end unsheltered homelessness. I worry that he will cave to corporate pressures, further disillusioning potential Democratic voters, but NEOCH is a good organization and may be able to hold Ronayne to this.
Sam Allard sums up the differences between Ronayne and Weingart nicely:
Ronayne is the collaborative leader, the experienced nonprofit executive and collegial public servant who has proposed new departments to address specific county failings — transportation and mobility among them. He is energized to work with mayors in the region and to restore trust in government by elevating the region’s physical and economic health.
Weingart is the shrewd and penny-pinching lobbyist, keen on government efficiencies and robust health and human services. He wants to focus on marquee programs to bring wealth to the urban core, including his oft-repeated 10,000 homes initiative, which would provide grants and low-interest loans to prospective homeowners.
For Member of State Board of Education (10th District)
Tom Jackson
Jackson is the only Democrat running. He’s not particularly progressive, but through years of experience he clearly appreciates the problem of inequities in school funding. Tim Miller is the incumbent, having been appointed by DeWine. In addition to a focus on typical Republican priorities like “school choice” (aka undermining public school with charters and private school vouchers), his bio touts his association with “the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Ohio,having served on the State Leadership Council, currently serving as vice chair of the NFIB Akron Area Action CouncilBusiness (NFIB) Ohio.” The NFIB promotes far-right legislation and is the subject of recent reporting for pushing a bill in Ohio and other states “aimed at expanding the number of hours teenagers are allowed to work, despite evidence that too many hours can harm children.” The final candidate, Shehorn, does not seem to have a good grasp of the issues beyond wanting to promote school choice and local control.
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Full term commencing 1–3–2023)
Richard A. Bell
Although Bell is in the inner circle of Bill Mason’s political machine and was unethical as a prosecutor, I am told he has done reasonably well as a judge so far. (He knows first hand about the dirty tricks prosecutors use, and maybe now that he is a judge he won’t put up with them.) His Republican opponent Hess is sort of a small government libertarian; he seems to have good views regarding police and incarceration, but it’s not a good sign that he has support from right-wing radio. Richard A. Bell for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in the Jan. 3 term: endorsement editorial — cleveland.com
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Full term commencing 1–7–2023)
Jeffrey P. Saffold
Saffold is expected to win easily. He has been running his campaign on truly progressive policies to combat mass incarceration, and he has said he hopes to convince the other judges to follow his lead. A big win would help him do that. Jefffey P. Saffold for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Jan. 7 term: endorsement editorial — cleveland.com
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Full term commencing 1–8–2023)
Maureen Clancy
Clancy didn’t get good reviews when I asked my activist and lawyer networks, but she is the Democratic candidate and probably the better option. She “supports making that database fully public (in opposition to the Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association, which has argued to keep it secret). She’s active in efforts to support alternatives to prison…” Maureen Clancy for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Jan. 8 term: endorsement editorial — cleveland.com
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Full term commencing 1–12–2023)
Brian Mooney
Joan Synenberg
Republican Synenberg is a harsh sentencer. Maybe this partly explains why she is liked by the machine run by former County Prosecutor Bill Mason. The machine managed to nominate an unqualified joke candidate for the Democrats to run against her. It doesn’t matter how you vote. She’ll win easily.
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Full term commencing 1–14–2023)
Deborah M. Turner
Turner is the unanimous recommendation. Deborah M. Turner for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge in the Jan. 14 term: endorsement editorial — cleveland.com
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Unexpired term ending 12–31–2024)
Wanda C. Jones
Wanda Jones is the only Republican I plan to vote for. She has a “focus on bail and sentencing reforms” according to cleveland.com. More importantly, she is running against Kevin Kelley, who proved quite effective at thwarting the efforts of progressives when he was Cleveland City Council president and relished taunting us to our faces whenever he had the chance. Fortunately Jones is a decent alternative, and also well-qualified, making her the clear choice. Wanda C. Jones for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2024: endorsement editorial — cleveland.com
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
(Unexpired term ending 1–3–2027)
Jennifer O’Donnell
O’Donnell, a favorite of progressives, is a longtime public defender, and I think she would be the first public defender to become a judge in Cuyahoga County. Meanwhile, Ken Callahan is running as “the Judge who Kept the Browns in Cleveland”? I googled it and… he didn’t. He’s talking about a 1995 injunction, after which the Browns left anyway. Worse, isn’t it a judge’s role to remain neutral? It seems antithetical to the rule of law for a judge to claim credit for influencing the result of a case, unless they are embracing an activist judge role. It’s hard to imagine why Cuyahoga County would want an activist Republican judge.
For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Juvenile Division)
(Full term commencing 1–1–2023)
Anne C. McDonough
It wasn’t unanimous, but McDonough, the Democrat, seems preferable. Anne C. McDonough for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, Jan. 1 term: endorsement editorial — cleveland.com
Issue 1
Proposed Constitutional Amendment
To require courts to consider factors like public safety when setting the amount of bail
No.
ACLU of Ohio: “Issue 1 has everything to do with politics and nothing to do with policy. Ohioans have been calling for a fairer, more effective pretrial system, and Ohio lawmakers can make actual bail reform a reality by passing House Bill 315 this lame duck session. This ballot measure seeks solely to distract from proactive, bipartisan bail reform efforts that have been brewing in Ohio for years. Ohioans deserve justice over jails. Ohioans deserve HB 315,” noted Jocelyn Rosnick, ACLU of Ohio Policy Director.
Matthew Ahn describes it even better (part of a useful Twitter thread that includes why you should vote no on Issue 2): The state legislature put this on the ballot to take control over bail procedures away from judges and give themselves control over the bail process. If this passes, they can later pass a bill saying that judges have to consider any random thing, and it will be constitutional.
Issue 2
Proposed Constitutional Amendment
To prohibit local government from allowing non-electors to vote
No. This anti-immigrant measure won’t actually make much difference. I think only Yellow Springs had expanded the franchise in its municipal elections. (I suggested we do it in Shaker a few years ago, but the idea didn’t get any traction. Issue 2 would also preclude lowering the voting age in local elections.) Matthew Ahn says: “Our voting laws in Ohio, based on the nonpartisan Cost of Voting Index, rank 41st in the country for ease of voting. Issue 2 would make it harder — and it would send a message to young folks, already the lowest-turnout demographic, that Ohio does not value their vote.”
5
Proposed Tax Levy (Replacement)
Cleveland Metropolitan Park District
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
A replacement of a tax for the benefit of the Cleveland Metropolitan Park District (known as Cleveland Metroparks including the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo)
Yes.
6
Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal)
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
Yes.
