Hi John!

Earlier this year, Ohio enacted one of the nation’s strictest voter ID laws, which threatens to silence over 1 million eligible Ohio voters who don’t have an acceptable form of ID, which is now required at the polls. 

In response to the law, VoteRiders sprang into action. We started a new Ohio Voter ID Coalition and hired on-the-ground staff (me!) to coordinate the outreach and organizing efforts. 

And David Pepper, an Ohioan author and politician helped us raise funds for this new program. We had hoped to raise $10,000 to start our Ohio program — and ended up raising $14,930.94 and counting!

It’s not too late to contribute to our Ohio program, John. Every dollar goes to helping Ohioans secure the ID necessary to vote — and so much more.

Willie Florence

After serving more than 32 years in prison, Willie Florence was released to a halfway house in Denton, Ohio. Willie needed an Ohio state ID to apply for a job, secure housing, and vote, but without a social security card — or even knowing what his social security number was — he kept hitting roadblock after roadblock.

VoteRiders’ staff worked with Willie one-on-one to navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth necessary to track down his social security number, replace the card, and apply for an Ohio state ID, replacing his old prison identification card.

“My new ID is kind of like my freedom papers,” he said. “Now if I go somewhere and I have to present my identification, I’m not automatically judged for being someone who has made mistakes. It gives me the confidence to know that I’m a citizen again. I’m a free citizen.” 

Obtaining an ID is crucial for voting, but as we’ve seen time and again, it’s also a way for people to build a more stable, secure, and prosperous life for themselves. 

“VoteRiders’ services really worked for me,” Willie said. “It did wonders. It was a home run, a touchdown, a knockout, all at one time.” 

Thanks for your commitment to our work in Ohio, and across the country. Together, we are truly changing lives.

Sincerely, 

Vashitta Johnson
Ohio Voter ID Coalition Coordinator

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VoteRiders is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit organization registered in the US under EIN 45-5081831.

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