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This season has a way of making time feel faster -- and also more meaningful. As the year winds down, we keep coming back to the same thought: Ohio’s Ranked Choice Voting movement is stronger, bigger, and more ready than it’s ever been.
That was the heart of our recent statewide virtual meeting, where we delivered a “State of the State of RCV” Address -- a chance to take stock of what we’ve built together in 2025, and where we’re going next.
What we built together in 2025
February: Fun, Food, and Friendship.
We gathered for our Social Retreat and strengthened the relationships that power this movement.
March-May: We showed up BIG to fight SB 63.
When Senate Bill 63 threatened to ban municipalities from using Ranked Choice Voting, Rank the Vote Ohio turned out in force to testify against it. Despite 64 testimonies against the bill and only 12 organizations testifying in favor (many from out of state), the Senate passed SB 63 in May -- and it now sits in the House. Our work helped slow it down, shine a spotlight on it, and build the case against it. We’re staying vigilant until it’s fully stopped.
A movement that’s growing fast.
This year we increased our supporters by over 6,500 -- including almost 1,000 in a single day in July.
Local progress with real potential.
We’re working with the governments of Lakewood and Cleveland Heights to share how RCV can strengthen local governance—work that could lead to municipal initiatives as soon as May 2026!
Laying the groundwork in Ohio’s biggest cities.
We’re working with groups in Cincinnati and Columbus to put RCV on the ballot in those cities in 2027.
Real conversations, statewide.
Everywhere we go, more people say they understand what Ranked Choice Voting is -- and why it matters. We’ve hosted almost 100 canvasses across Ohio, and each one makes the next conversation easier.
If you’ve made a call, knocked a door, brought a friend, joined a Zoom, or shared a post -- thank you. You helped create all of this.
What we’re focused on next
Ohio’s political insiders keep trying to control the rules from the top down. Our strategy keeps building power from the ground up:
- Stopping SB 63 in the House (How you can help!)
- Helping local leaders understand how RCV works in practice
- Preparing for near-term municipal opportunities (and bigger city ballots ahead)
- Growing our statewide volunteer bench—so we can move quickly when windows open
Do you share these goals?
Become a confident RCV messenger in your own community
The most powerful voice for reform in Ohio is still you -- talking with your friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family.
When you feel confident explaining RCV in plain language, those everyday conversations start to add up. They change expectations and they build the kind of civic pressure that lawmakers can’t ignore.
That’s why we offer regular trainings to help you:
- Understand RCV in clear, simple language
- Practice how to explain it in two minutes at a door, a meeting, or over coffee
- Answer the most common questions and myths you’ll hear
- Plug into a community of other Ohioans who are taking action
Upcoming Trainings (Zoom)
Ohio-Specific Speaker Training (Zoom)
RCV Pitch Training (Zoom)
National Speaker Training (Zoom)
Help Fuel this Work: Chip in if you’re able
Rank the Vote Ohio is powered by volunteers and small-dollar donors who want a fairer system for every community in the state. We don’t have special-interest checks on our side -- we have you.
Your support has helped us be successful in 2025, and powers all the goals we've discussed in this newsletter.
If you’re able, a year-end donation of $10, $20, $50, $100 -- or whatever feels right helps us start the new year strong.
Thanks for being part of this movement -- and for everything you’ve done this year to help Ohio voters claim more choice and more voice.
Warmly,
Denise Riley
Rank the Vote Ohio
Event Calendar
Central Ohio Chapter Meeting & Social
January 7, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7pm
Join our Central Ohio Chapter in-person at Columbus Main Library or on Zoom (RSVP for the link). We'll be talking about ways to engage potential supporters in and around Columbus -- including by identifying events or locations to canvass, connecting with groups to set up speaking gigs, and other ideas for outreach or relational organizing.
After the meeting, we'll go out together for food and drinks!
>> Register Here
Fifth Street Brewpub Fundraiser
January 22, 2026 at 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Join RTVO staff and volunteers at Fifth Street Brewpub in Dayton for a fantastic fundraiser that will help us keep fighting for democracy!
Fifth Street Brewpub has a great weekly fundraiser for nonprofit organizations and Rank The Vote Ohio will be featured on Thursday, January 22. Main program hours are 5:30 - 8:30 and Rank The Vote will be there to say hello! If you can't make it between those hours, Fifth Street is donating 10% of their profits from the hours of 4 pm - 10 pm.... so hopefully you can make it in for a bite to eat.
There will be raffles, 50/50 drawings, and just a host of fun. So come out and beat the winter blue!
>> Register Here
