BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- In an attempt to boost voter participation, Democratic secretary of state candidate Charleta Tavares vowed Wednesday to target young Ohioans with new educational programs.
"Unfortunately, the lowest voting percentage is among our young citizens -- those between the ages of 18 and 35," Ms. Tavares said. "That does not bode well for our future."
Ms. Tavares, a state representative representing a portion of Columbus, said higher voter participation would lead to better decisions by elected officials.
If elected, Ms. Tavares said she would:
Embark on a monthly road trip to a school, community center or youth group to show people outside Columbus how state government works. Members of Congress and the General Assembly would be asked to participate.
Ask state universities to judge competitions in which youngsters would be asked to suggest ways to make their communities better places to live.
Include a "Kids Page" on a revamped secretary of state's Internet home page, along with a separate page for teachers to find methods tying voter education to various academic subjects.
Convene focus groups of Ohioans ages 18-35 to determine why young people aren't voting.
State Treasurer Ken Blackwell, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, will be issuing his own plan to boost voter participation in the near future, said Dana Walch, political director for Mr. Blackwell's campaign.
Meanwhile, Mr. Walch released a letter criticizing Ms. Tavares' campaign for distributing literature saying she has been endorsed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Although the newspaper endorsed Ms. Tavares in the Democratic primary, it hasn't announced its preference for the general election. In a sign of how nasty the campaign between Ms. Tavares and Mr. Blackwell may become, an operative from the Ohio Republican Party infiltrated her press conference and peppered her with questions about the literature.
The man, who wore a "Tavares for Secretary of State" sticker on his shirt, told reporters afterwards that he "wasn't authorized" to reveal his employer. But Gary Abernathy, spokesman for the state GOP, confirmed that he works in the party's communications office. Ms. Tavares said the literature was from her primary campaign and was handed out by mistake.
