Oberlin is and always has been a hotbed of political activism. In the past, Oberlin students have used a plethora of tactics to stand against a large number of injustices, using tools that include everything from protests to teach-ins. There is one form of activism, however, that many of Oberlin’s most hardworking and talented warriors for social change avoid like the plague. I’m talking, of course, about getting involved in electoral politics.

In the past, uninspiring candidates, negligible differences between the parties and a lack of progressive options have kept Oberlin students from applying their full energy to the realm of electoral politics. This time around there is reason to believe that things will be different. The excitement on campus about the upcoming election indicates that many who have traditionally stayed away from electoral politics have found reason to get involved and realize that participation in the upcoming election is essential for liberal causes of all types. Because of an election cycle that’s seen a resurgence of progressive ideas and values, working to get voters to the polls in the upcoming election will have a direct effect on the causes that Oberlin activists care about most.   

Even those who have felt uncomfortable working to elect candidates in the past may be persuaded by a ticket that has more progressive credentials than any in recent history. At the top of the ballot (in the Governor’s race) Democrat Ted Strickland is running against Ken Blackwell. Ted Strickland has worked hard for workers’ rights, earning a 100 percent rating from the AFL-CIO. He has consistently fought for the rights of gay couples to adopt and voted against the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Strickland has also stood up for civil liberties with his vote to prevent the Patriot Act from becoming permanent. His opponent Ken Blackwell, on the other hand, has opposed gay rights (comparing gay people to arsonists and barn yard animals), has tried to cut back on state social services and opposes raising Ohio’s minimum wage.

In the Senate race, Democrat Sherrod Brown, who is in a tough fight with Republican Mike DeWine, has received top ratings from nearly every major progressive organization and has been a long time outspoken critic of the Iraq war. He has strong union support, but also has worked hard to protect our environment. On social issues, he has consistently stood up for a woman’s right to choose and stands against the gay marriage ban. If elected, Sherrod Brown could easily become one of the progressive leaders of the U.S. Senate, pushing the party away from the “republican-lite” stances it has taken in the past.

The State Senate race also features a progressive candidate who will inspire activists to hit the phones in the final few days of the campaign. Sue Morano has been a nurse and a union leader all of her life. She is spearheading the effort in the county to raise Ohio’s minimum wage and she has dedicated her campaign to talking about providing affordable access to health care for all residents in the state of Ohio.

Even for those who are still wary of working for candidates, there is still yet another reason to should sign up and help with the election. Alongside the candidates, the 2006 ballot includes an initiative to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour. Issue 2 will bring economic justice to many families across the state, but only if enough progressive voters turn out to vote on election day. The only way to affect this increase in the minimum wage is to call progressive voters and make sure that they go and vote on Nov. 7.

The largest reason that activists suddenly find themselves in the electoral realm probably has to do with the fact that they realize that their very right to speak out is in danger. The Republicans both in this state and across the nation have used the guise of patriotism to attack free speech and prevent us from voicing our opinions. This will only get worse as long as we cede the realm of electoral politics to them. For the first time in a long time it looks like we might be able to hit them back but it will take activists of all stripes hitting phone banks and canvasses with the vigor that is normally reserved for protests and rallies.