By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Unlike all the flashy social media campaign messages, the Bowling Green League of Women Voters is trying a more low tech, high visibility idea to get voters’ attention.
The league is planning a car parade on Oct. 10 to urge citizens to vote – early if possible.
“It’s almost like a Mickey Rooney movie,” league member Lee Hakel said her husband remarked upon hearing about the parade. And like a wholesome golden oldie movie, the parade will include homemade signs, a fire truck, school bus, and plenty of waving dignitaries.
The goal is to make people aware of their ability to vote early in the presidential election.
Normally, the League of Women Voters focuses on registering voters prior to an election. “This is such a strange year, we want to draw attention to early voting,” Hakel said.
“Because of the mail-in voting surge, the Board of Elections has more work than ever. They need help,” Hakel said. “Voting early by mail or in person will help the flow of things.”
The League of Women Voters never tells citizens how to vote – but the organization does urge them to do their civic duty.
“That’s what’s important – that every person votes,” Hakel said.
The car parade on Oct. 10 will start around 10 a.m. in the former Elder-Beerman parking lot at the Woodland Mall. From there, the parade will travel south on Main Street to Walmart, then back north on Main Street to Wooster Street. The parade will go west on Wooster, then return to the downtown area and head east on Wooster Street to the Bowling Green State University campus.
The parade will be led by Tom Pendleton in the Wood County Museum’s antique fire truck, and will include a Bowling Green City School bus, an antique car from Jeff Snook, an electric car, plus vehicles carrying about 22 Bowling Green League of Women Voters members.
Among the dignitaries in the parade will be Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher, BGSU President Rodney Rogers, BGSU Provost Joe Whitehead, Bowling Green City Schools Superintendent Francis Scruci, and former Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards.
“They are all there for the single purpose of urging people to vote early,” Hakel said.
There will be balloons, streamers, banners and signs made by students.
“We want to do just anything we can do to get people’s attention,” Hakel said.
Early voting in Ohio starts on Oct. 6. Anyone seeking voting information may visit the League of Women Voters’ educational website called Vote411.
In Wood County, the league is also planning a candidates forum on Oct. 4. Details about that event can be found at http://bgindependentmedia.org/candidates-forum-scheduled-for-oct-4-public-may-submit-questions/
