The Wood County Green Party is proud to announce the release of its fourth annual voters’ guide. This year, 10 Green Party members volunteered their time to vet over 70 candidates in terms of how they relate to our key values of ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy, social justice, and non-violence. Copies of the PDF can be downloaded from the website woodcountyohgreenparty.org or paper copies can be found at local coffee houses and libraries.
There were some very troubling trends this year that bode ill for our Democracy. First, while there were 29 contested races in Wood County, there were 59 uncontested or vacant offices. Some villages had no candidates for any open seats. It’s clear that the public’s lack of enthusiasm for either of the major parties has led to a steep drop-off in participation. Second, this year, candidates seem to be going to great lengths to hide their actual political leanings. Social media accounts are scrubbed of anything of except pictures of kittens and sports teams.
MAGA candidates who, in 2024 were loudly promoting conspiracy theories and adoration of Trump, are now keeping quiet about their support for a deeply unpopular president. Campaign signs and literature contain nothing but the candidate’s name and their professed love of their community. We did the best we could to winnow out the candidates’ true positions, but it was difficult and sometimes impossible. At least we were able to report party affiliation, even for non-partisan races.
Democracy needs information and competition to stay healthy. The Republicans effectively outlawed minor parties in Ohio with their 2013 law, setting unreachable requirements to retain party status. Without competition, it’s clear both the major parties and our Democracy itself are in a state of decline and atrophy.
Joseph R. DeMare
Co-Chair Wood County Green Party
