• Carol A. Philips of Nationwide wins Champions of Democracy
• Christ House holds Cross Cultural Ministers Breakfast Nov. 3
• Asian Pacific Islander Americans hold 2018 Ohio Candidate Forum Oct. 28

With 10,347 in-person votes since early voting began in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 over 400 percent increase of 7,978 votes has been recorded compared to the 2014 mid-term elections of 2,379 votes same period.  

A breakdown from the Franklin County Board of Elections shows a turnout of voters of 1,054 on the first day compared to 301 voters on the first day of 2014. The highest turnout of 1,735 votes was recorded Monday, October 22, 2018 compared to the highest turnout of 327 on October 19, 2014 for same period.

Also, 104,431 absentee ballots have been mailed this year compared to 152, 289 mailed in the same period in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Franklin County Board of Elections has presented the Champions of Democracy Special Recognition Award to Nationwide’s Grassroots Manager, Carol A. Phillips.

This award is to recognize Phillips for always going above and beyond in her work through Nationwide with the Franklin County Board of Elections Champions of Democracy program.

The award is given for dedication and leadership in working with the Franklin County Board of Elections to further the goals of recruiting the best Precinct Election Officials through the Champions of Democracy Program.

Nationally recognized, the Champions of Democracy program works with local employers and organizations here in Franklin County to assist with recruiting and training excellent Precinct Election Officials, who are more commonly known as election “poll workers.”

Organizations like AEP, COTA, John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, Motorists Insurance Group, Nationwide Insurance and Worthington Industries are among the participants.

These organizations assist the Board of Elections by promoting to their associates and members the need for election poll workers. They also provide space and support for the Board of Elections to hold onsite poll worker training specifically for them.

We also work with Franklin County Government as well as the City of Columbus to provide onsite poll worker training for their employees.

On Election Day 2016, 215, or 5%, of the 4,200 poll workers employed countywide Champions of Democracy participants.

“Carol Phillips has been truly exemplified how a strong partnership between the public and private sectors should work,” said Franklin County Board of Elections Director Ed Leonard.

“Her dedication to maintaining excellence exemplifies what we here at the Board strive to achieve in each and every election. It is representative of the work and dedication we have seen from our COD participants, but especially from Nationwide Insurance.”

Christ House holds Cross Cultural Ministers Breakfast Nov. 3

As part of its inaugural ceremony, Christ House will hold a “Cross-Cultural Ministers Breakfast Meeting” on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 2591 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio beginning at 10am.

A statement by the host pastor, Sanya Oyedola said that, “some of the topics to be treated include proliferation of churches – is it healthy or not; what are the right protocols for releasing protégés; and other questions about ministry and ministering.”

Some of the panelists, he added, “include Dr Oludotun Olugunebi, Bishop Dlan Elujoba, Bishop Tony Osuobeni, Rev. Kayode Ebenezer, Bishop Bismark Akomeah and Bishop Larry Davis.”

The church will hold its inaugural service on Sunday, November 4, at 2pm.

Asian Pacific Islander Americans hold 2018 Ohio Candidate Forum Oct. 28

The Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Columbus, Ohio will hold the second version of the 2018 Ohio Candidates Forum (Republican) on Sunday, October 28, at the Sunflower Chinese Restaurant, 7370 Sawmill Road, Columbus, Ohio beginning at 5.30pm.

The first version of the candidate forum (Democrat) was held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

The Chair, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) Ohio Chapter, Vincent Wang said all organizations involved in the planning “are nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations that do not support or endorse any political candidates or political parties.”

The Republican Candidates expected at the forum include Mike DeWine, Candidate for Ohio Governor; Jim Renacci, Candidate for U.S. Senate; Troy Balderson, Candidate for Congress OH-12; Steve Stivers, Candidate for Congress OH-15; Stu Harris, Candidate for State House HD21; Erik Yassenoff, Candidate for State House HD-24; Niraj Antani, Candidate for State House HD-42 and Clarence Mingo, Candidate for Franklin County Auditor.