Ryan Holderman: Why Fear The Free Distribution of Election Information?

Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006
Subject: Election Opinion!

Why Fear The Free Distribution of Election Information?

The election of two “active” teachers to seats on the STRS Board is pending. All of the candidates have followed the procedures outlined by the Ohio Revised Code and the STRS rules governing such elections. They have been qualified as candidates and their names will appear on the ballots being mailed to STRS active and inactive members as well as disability recipients who are entitled to vote in this election.

It is the right of all eligible voters to be fully informed about the candidates seeking STRS Board seats. It appears, however, that the Ohio Education Association wants teachers in the schools which they represent to be informed only about the candidates that are OEA endorsed. Reports are coming in from across the state about folks who are distributing campaign flyers for candidates Tom Hall and Mark Fredrick being denied access to teachers. Citing rules which purportedly restrict distribution of such materials to union representatives or limit such information to union / administration approved materials, those who would share information about Dr. Hall or Mr. Fredrick are turned away.

Isolating STRS members and restricting their access to information that they need in order to make informed decisions about the candidates they are being asked to select for the STRS Board is unethical. It raises several questions:

• Why do those who are doing so fear the free, open distribution of campaign materials?

• Why do they seek to control access to the teachers in schools they represent?

• The STRS Board represents all it’s constituents, not just those who are represented by a particular union. Why shouldn’t voters have access to any candidate’s information?

It is time to call for an end to such restrictive, mind-controlling tactics and demand the free flow and distribution of information about all qualified STRS Board candidates.