By Okon Ekpenyong

As the 2024 election season approaches its climax on Tuesday, November 5, Republican and Democratic candidates, their supporters, and party members are gearing up their efforts through the “Get Out The Vote” (GOTV) initiative. 

This Rally aims to motivate the community to raise their voices and participate in the democratic process. The initiative typically features prominent political figures, entertainers, and influencers who urge attendees to recognize what’s at stake during this election cycle. They encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote and support specific candidates or causes that align with their beliefs.

On Saturday afternoon, actor Michael Ealy, known for his roles in “Takers,” “Barbershop,” and many other films, made an appearance at the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Rally for the Democrats held at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. The event was co-hosted by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and featured honorary chairs Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, among others.

“We’re not just complaining about the system; we’re fighting for our lives. This election is about reproductive rights and the future of our children. We must stand up, get our relatives and communities to vote, and lead by example. We can’t just show up every two, four, or six years; we must build a lasting relationship with our leaders. We don’t need to romanticize elections or be in love with candidates; we need them to fight for our basic freedoms. Let’s focus on what’s important: protecting our rights and shaping our future. We tell our leaders what we want, not vice versa,” American Actor Michael Ealy said. 

The Actor emphasized the importance of voting, leadership, and protecting individual freedoms, reflecting his commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement.

Former Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stopped by the Delaware Country Club to campaign for Senator Sherrod Brown’s challenger, Bernie Moreno. On Sunday, Moreno will host former Fox News and conservative host Tucker Carlson at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, at 1 PM. Additionally, former college football coach and current U.S. Senator from Alabama will visit the Fairfield County Fairgrounds in Lancaster at 4 PM to support Moreno’s campaign.
Moreno advanced from the Republican Primary on March 19; meanwhile, Incumbent Brown, who did not have a challenger in the primary.  

As the United States approaches the final days of the 2024 Presidential Election between Vice-President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald J Trump, all eyes will be on the battleground states and cities that could determine the outcome. Although Ohio is not one of the battleground States of the Presidential Race, it certainly is for the Ohio U.S. Senator race between incumbent Sherrod Brown and his challenger, Businessman Bernie Moreno. 

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which was a landmark decision from 1973 recognizing Americans’ constitutional right to abortion and legalizing it nationwide, the issue has remained a hot topic in every election cycle. It continues to be a significant battleground for Democrats. On the other hand, many in the Republican Party believe that the decision should be left to individual states, with a substantial portion opposing abortion altogether, even without exceptions. Additionally, high inflation and economic stability are critical concerns for Republicans, while Democrats are focused on expanding healthcare access, contrasting with the GOP’s aim to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Among these crucial regions for the U.S. Senator Race is Columbus, Ohio, where early voting at the Franklin County Board of Elections will end on Sunday, November 3. The official Election Day will follow on Tuesday, November 5, with polls open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. With the race between the Republican and Democratic parties heating up, both sides are finally pushing to engage undecided voters and secure crucial votes in this pivotal State. 

However, due to the close nature of the national polling, it is predicted that the results of the Presidential race may not be available for several days following the election. The result may come out late in the evening for some of the congressional and U.S. Senator races like the one here in Ohio. As the world watches and waits for the outcome, the people of Franklin County and 87 other counties in the State and the nation itself play a crucial role in shaping the future of their country.

According to several news outlets, the race for the White House between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump in Ohio appears to be leaning in Trump’s favor. Also, since the Ohio U.S. Senate race is a potential competitive battle for control of the Senate, the Democratic incumbent faces a tough challenge from Colombian-American Bernie Moreno, the Republican candidate.

For New Americans voting for the first time, relying solely on political commercials to make your voting decision can be misleading. There are 47 Democratic members and four independents, while the Republican Party holds 49 seats, giving the Democrats a slight majority. In total, 34 Senate seats are up for grabs this election cycle. Of those, 23 are held by Democrats. If Republicans take control of the Senate, they could shift the balance of power, especially if President Trump wins the presidential election and they secure at least one additional seat from the Democrats.

To ensure that all parties benefit from the upcoming election, the Democratic side is mobilizing aggressively, especially here in Central Ohio. On October 19, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock joined Senator Sherrod Brown at a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally at East High School.

A few days earlier, on October 16, the Ohio State Students hosted another impactful GOTV rally featuring Civil Rights Activist Reverend Al Sharpton, the Central Park Five, and legendary Civil Rights Icon Reverend Jesse Jackson. Their participation highlighted the critical importance of this election, not just for Ohio but for the entire nation. 

Reverend Jesse Jackson founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 1996 along with its members. This coalition focuses on economic justice, civil rights, education, and healthcare issues. Its mission is to create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone, regardless of background. The Central Park Five refers to a group of five young African American men who were accused of assaulting a woman in New York’s Central Park in 1989. Their convictions were overturned in 2002 after they had served between six and thirteen years in prison. Former President Trump, a real estate developer at the time, called for the State to reinstate the death penalty for young men by taking out full-page ads in several newspapers.

Looking ahead, on November 4, Former President Bill Clinton is set to visit Cleveland, Ohio, to rally support for Senator Sherrod Brown. Furthermore, the November 1st rally at the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church on Sunbury Road buzzed with energy as another GOTV rally unfolded. This event served as another opportunity to emphasize how vital this election is.

The Rally showcased a variety of notable entertainers, including recording artist Quan Howell, singer Joyde Dorsey, comedian Andrew Ford, and actor Michael Ealy, who is renowned for his roles in films such as Barbershop, Think Like a Man, and Takers, among others. This free public event provided food for attendees and successfully fulfilled its mission of encouraging people to get out and vote.

“Attending the voting rally at the church was an inspiring experience. Surrounded by young volunteers, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, and actor Michael Ealy, I felt energized by the collective desire to make voices heard. The passionate speeches and familiar hymns, like “This Little Light of Mine,” stirred my childhood memories and reminded me of our duty to exercise our rights. Despite protests, the Rally succeeded in uniting people and amplifying their voices,” Deidre Hill of Columbus said. 

More than ten individuals were escorted from the Rally, and they were protesting the Israel-Palestine conflict. The demonstrators called for the U.S. to cease funding for Israel’s military purchases. “Rather than using taxpayer money to support Israel, that funding could be better spent addressing infrastructure issues in Ohio or tackling some of the education challenges we face in this country,” one protester stated.

After security officials escorted the first protester out of the building, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty approached the individual to engage in a conversation, listening to their concerns and explaining some of the steps the officials had taken to address the situation. “I believe in activism, but Martin Luther King was never disruptive. Today wasn’t about stifling freedom of speech, nor was it about me fielding questions. I stand unapologetically for who I am. However, those individuals had every right to voice their opinions, and I tried to respond to them as I did outside.”

Voting patterns can vary significantly by county in Ohio and nationwide, with some areas traditionally favoring either the Democratic or Republican parties. For instance, cities like Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), Columbus (Franklin County), and Cincinnati (Hamilton County) tend to have strong support for Democrats and could work in favor of U.S. Senator Brown. On the other hand, counties such as Trumbull and many rural areas generally lean toward the Republican Party and could work in favor of Brown’s challenger, Bernie Moreno. 

The essence of the GOTV Rally for the Republican and the Democratic Party focuses on a call to action by encouraging voters not just to vote but to educate themselves on candidates and discuss those issues with their friends and families of how they align with their faith, values, and sending a strong message on how those actions can influence the democratic process.   

After the GOTV Rally, the Actor spoke with supporters, as most public figures typically do during such events.

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