Innovation Ohio Launches “Hands Off Ohio” digital ad campaign

COLUMBUS, OH — Today, Innovation Ohio launched a new digital ad campaign to fight back against the Trump Administration’s attempt to subvert our elections and intimidate voting rights advocates. You can view the first ad here.

“Donald Trump knows he’s losing, so he’s lying and lashing out,” said Innovation Ohio President Michael McGovern. “He thinks he can intimidate Ohio voters and take away their freedom to vote, but we’re going to show him he’s wrong. We’re making sure that Ohioans know exactly what he’s up to and how they can come together and fight back.”

On June 11th, Trump’s FBI raided the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC) - Ohio’s largest voter registration program. It’s just the most recent example of MAGA politicians trying to control the outcome of Ohio’s elections. They removed registered voters off the rolls; drew district lines to weaken the power of Black and brown votes; and created additional barriers to voting early and by mail.

People across Ohio are taking action to ensure our votes are counted. Hundreds of people rallied in Cleveland to defend our freedom to vote. Faith leaders across the state are joining together to call on Gov. DeWine to take measures to protect our election. Elected officials are calling out the intimidation tactics. Sitting and retired judges marched in Columbus to defend the rule of law. 

Trump’s efforts in Ohio are part of a nation-wide effort to control the outcome of the elections through bully tactics. Just last month, ICE agents questioned a New York poll worker over a social media post. The Department of Justice is pressing states to turn over sensitive voter information and most recently, sent letters warning election officials that they face prosecution if noncitizens cast votes. And most recently, Trump fired leaders of the Election Assistance Commission which provides resources and capacity to state boards of election. 

“It’s important that Ohioans know about MAGA’s attempts to control the election, but also feel empowered to do something about it,” McGovern said. “We hope our ad motivates Ohioans to show up to vote this fall, because the only way to deal with a bully is to refuse to back down.”

The six figure digital ad campaign will be aimed at progressive Ohioans across streaming video and social media platforms. Ohioans can learn how they can join the fight to protect our freedoms at HandsOffOhio.org.