Local Matters
Who makes policy decisions for your local public-school district?
What is the school board?
True or false: If you skip the primary election, you are prohibited from voting in the general election.
False
This historically Black fraternity/sorority collective is commonly known as the “Divine Nine.”
What is the National Pan-Hellenic Council?
This Supreme Court justice became the first Black person to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
Instead of everybody voting on Election Day, voters cast ballots before Election Day. What's that called?
What is early voting?
Your favorite bar wants a patio and live music until 2 a.m. Who might have something to say about noise, occupancy, zoning, or permits?
What is local government?
You walk into the voting booth and don't know anything about one race. Are you required to vote in every single part for the rest of your ballot to count?
No! However, it is important to vote from top to bottom.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Black Americans withheld their money from businesses to pressure them to change discriminatory practices. What is this strategy called?
What is a boycott?
Near the end of his life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped organize this campaign focused on poverty and economic inequality across racial lines.
What is the Poor People's Campaign?
The Governor says, “Nope, I'm not signing this bill.” What's the official word?
What is a "veto"?
Name three services that local governments commonly provide.
Roads, police, fire/EMS, parks, trash, water/sewer, public transit, zoning, etc.
True or false: You can research what's going to appear on your ballot before Election Day.
TRUE!
Fun Fact: You can use your phone in the booth while you vote to refer to notes or a quick google search.
What year was the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) founded?
What is 1967!
This lawyer and civil-rights activist became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Ohio.
Who is Stephanie Tubbs Jones?
People from two political parties working on/supporting something.
What is "Bipartisan"?
You want to know how your city plans to spend public money next year. What document should you look for?
What is the city/local budget?
You see a levy on your ballot. What is a levy generally asking voters to decide?
Whether to approve a specified tax or tax-related funding measure for a public purpose.
(Often times for a school)
Black activists and allies used this nonviolent tactic by occupying segregated lunch counters and refusing to leave.
What are sit-ins?
This Ohio politician became the first Black woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Who is Justice Melody Stewart?
Lawmakers draw election districts in a way intended to advantage a political party or group. What's the word everybody hears every ten years?
What is gerrymandering?
Name five things local government can affect that you might encounter regularly.
Roads, police/fire services, parks, zoning, public transportation, trash, water/sewer, parking, housing/development, local taxes, etc.
You don't recognize either candidate's name. Name three things you could research instead of guessing based on the name.
Experience, documented positions, voting record, endorsements, campaign materials, credible news coverage, public forums/debates, responsibilities of the office, etc.
Black Americans historically faced barriers to voting even after the 15th Amendment. Name three methods historically used to suppress Black voting.
Examples include poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses, white primaries, intimidation/violence, discriminatory registration practices, etc.
She told the 1964 Democratic National Convention about the violence and discrimination Black Mississippians faced while trying to register to vote.
Who is Fannie Lou Hamer?
Citizens collect enough valid signatures and meet legal requirements to put a proposed law or constitutional amendment before voters on the ballot.
What is a "Ballot Initiative"?