Taking Initiative

In this episode, Taking Initiative co-hosts Laura Lucarelli and Patricia Blackmon debrief on what they've learned while interviewing the changemakers in Ohio's direct democracy over the last few months. Plus, Pat turns the mic on Laura to learn how the podcast came to be. They talk about direct democracy, the importance of protecting the people's power, and "what's in it for all of us" by getting...

In our Spotlight on an Initiative, the Conserve Ohio group announces 2027 is the new target for getting on the ballot. Then three of the initiative leaders attend a weekly commissioners meeting and voice concerns with others in the community about plans for a data center being built in Adams County. Music attribution CCYOTOKZZH52W0PR

Ohio Equal Rights and Right to Marry Amendment petitions moved their goal from getting on the ballot from 2026 to 2027.

Meet Conserve Ohio volunteer Austin Baurichter, part of the attorney duo who drafted the petition to ban mega data centers in Ohio. Austin talks about quitting his job when he found himself at a moral crossroads so he could help his neighbors through Conserve Ohio. Learn how he and a second attorney researched and carefully considered language that ultimately passed the single subject review of th...

In our Spotlight on an Initiative ( Ban Mega Data Centers OH Initiative ), Conserve Ohio takes advantage of an opportunity to provide public testimony to Ohio's Select Committee on Data Centers. It was a long day for Nikki Gerber and others who traveled from Southern Ohio to the Statehouse to voice their opposition. Nikki shares what happened at the Statehouse and why she's grateful to all those e...

In this episode, we sit down with Lis Regula, co-chair of the Ohio Equal Rights ballot initiative effort, to talk about how the group is moving forward after the Ohio Ballot Board split their initiative into two separate issues: equal rights and marriage equality. He shares why the group decided to move forward with both initiatives at once, and what’s surprising him about the signature-gathering...

To make the ballot, a citizen initiative or referendum requires hundreds of thousands of signatures statewide. But the challenges go beyond the sheer number of signatures required. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the signature-gathering process with Richard Margolius, who shares lessons learned and roadblocks to watch for based on his experience with signature collection across several r...

In this episode, Ohio Ballot Protection checks in with attendees of the Libertarian Party of Ohio's Convention in Dayton last week to hear their views on ballot initiatives and direct democracy.

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Tom Pruss (Libertarian Party) to hear his views on direct democracy and the citizen-led ballot initiative process. Note: Ohio Ballot Protection does not endorse political candidates.

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio Attorney General Candidate John Kulewicz (Democratic Party) to hear his views on direct democracy and the citizen-led ballot initiative process. Note: Ohio Ballot Protection does not endorse political candidates.

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio Attorney General Candidate Elliot Forhan (Democratic Party) to hear his views on direct democracy and the citizen-led ballot initiative process. Note: Ohio Ballot Protection does not endorse political candidates.

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Allison Russo (Democratic Party) to hear her views on direct democracy and the citizen-led ballot initiative process. Note: Ohio Ballot Protection does not endorse political candidates.

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Marcell Strbich (Republican Party) to hear his views on direct democracy and the citizen-led ballot initiative process. Note: Ohio Ballot Protection does not endorse political candidates.

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Bryan Hambley (Democratic Party) to hear his views on direct democracy and the citizen-led ballot initiative process. Note: Ohio Ballot Protection does not endorse political candidates.

We sit down with Emily Harper and Danielle Kinhalt, members of a group called Adams County for Responsible Development, which has just submitted its petition and initial 1,000 required signatures for a proposal that would ask Ohioans to vote on capping the energy new data centers can draw from the power grid. We hear about their tactics for gathering signatures in rural Ohio and what’s next in the...

We sit down with Mandy Fehlbaum, a Youngstown State University professor who helped to lead a referendum to repeal Ohio Senate Bill 1, which placed new restrictions on DEI and collective bargaining at public colleges and universities in the state. We talk about the challenges the grassroots group faced, what prevented them from getting the referendum on the ballot, and takeaways for other grassroo...

Ohio Ballot Protection co-chair Laura Lucarelli talks with attendees at BISC's Road Ahead 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio, last week to hear what direct democracy advocates across the country are working on.

In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio, to talk about how the citizen ballot initiative works. Ohio is one of just 26 states that offer its citizens the power of ballot initiative, referendum, or both. This form of direct democracy is critical to ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard, but it’s not without its obstacles. Listen to learn more a...

Laura Lucarelli sits down with Taking Initiative co-host Patricia Ann Blackmon to talk about how she ended up in Ohio, her biggest influences, and why protecting the citizen ballot initiative process is so important to her. 

Welcome to Taking Initiative, a podcast that takes a deep dive into the citizen ballot initiative process in Ohio — from roadblocks and challenges to what worked, and why. Join our hosts, former 8th District Appellate Court Judge Pat Blackmon and Ohio Ballot Protection co-chair Laura Lucarelli, as they explore the unique power that Ohio's constitution gives voters in the state and how Ohioans are...