Conservation Ohio’s Justin Bibb ad
Watch the ad:
Ad Text: In this radio ad, Cleveland’s mayor Justin Bibb introduces himself and says, “Our rights are on the line this year. We need to elect Jennifer Brunner, Terri Jamison, and Marilyn Zayas to the Ohio Supreme Court. And Chris Ronayne for county executive. You can vote by mail, early in person, or on Election Day, November 8th. Remember: who you vote for is private, but whether or not you vote, is public record. Have your voice heard in this election. Cast your ballot for Brunner, Jamison, Zayas, and Ronayne.”
Who's responsible for this ad?
The ad is paid for by Conservation Ohio Political Action Committee (PAC). This is a SuperPAC, registered with the Federal Elections Commission and Open Secrets provides an overview.
The contributors are environmentalists and 2022 donors include the League of Conservation Voters ($140,00), the Green Advocacy Project ($115,00), and the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund ($81,646). While this information provides a picture of donors, voters are not able to track the contributions to the original source.
The Brennan Center for Justice’s Buying Time project has been tracking political spending in state Supreme Court races. Click here for information about political ads and spending in the Ohio Supreme Court races this year.
Discussion and Analysis
DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
This ad features the young, new mayor of Cleveland and directly encourages voters to see their vote as connected to their rights. While the ad focuses on candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, Mayor Bibb also endorses Chris Ronayne for county-level office. The ad calls attention to ways that eligible Ohioans can cast a ballot. While the ad doesn’t say that your neighbors will know if you don’t vote, it exerts some peer pressure by reminding potential voters that who they vote for is private; whether they voted is public.
By including the race for Cuyahoga County Executive, the ad targets voters who live in Ohio’s 2nd largest county by population and one of the most important counties for Democrats who are running for statewide office.
Q&A: The growing use of ‘voter files’ in studying the U.S. electorate, Pew Research Center, February 15, 2018