Ohio Green Party Encouraged by Primary Results

In a primary which showed a sharp decline in voter turnout, the Ohio Green Party set a new record for the percentage of the over all vote, sustained its numbers, and saw large increases in many counties. 
According to the website ballot-access.org, the Ohio Green Party has continued its trend of gaining a larger percentage of the primary vote each year, growing from .07% in 2014 to .11% in 2016, and pulling a record .2% in 2018. In 2014, the Greens went on to earn more than 3% of the state wide vote for their candidate, Anita Rios. This year, the Party again has to earn at least 3% of vote for their gubernatorial candidate, Constance Gadell-Newton, or they will lose ballot access along with their Party status.

Over all, the Green Party maintained its membership numbers in a primary that apparently again saw a decline in the membership of the two major Parties. Most of Ohio's 88 counties either saw an increase in the number of registered Greens, or a maintenance of roughly the same number of members. Some counties, such as Stark, Summit, and Butler, more than doubled in size. 

The Party continues to make inroads, despite refusing all corporate donations and operating entirely with volunteers. Lt. Governor candidate Brett Joseph had this to say, "It should surprise no one that the primary vote favored the two major party candidates with the largest PAC-funded war chests and most expensive campaigns. This is precisely why we need a third party choice that represents the needs and aspirations of local communities and ordinary people. Connie and I look forward to advancing solutions created by and for all Ohioans, including millions who are disenfrancised by the two-party, winner take all system." Philena Irene Farley states, "So happy so many voted Green in Ohio." Joseph DeMare, Political Director for the Ohio Green Party adds, "We're incredibly proud of the work of so many volunteers in Ohio. The low voter turnout shows most voters are dissatisfied with the two Party system, but all over Ohio, Greens turned out in much higher percentages than voters in the other Parties because Greens know we are finally building an alternative to the "two" Party system."