Letters to the editor

On Candidates Night The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to empowering everyone to participate in our democracy. The local Tiffin Chapter encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government by hosting educational events on a variety of local topics, including Candidates Night. For decades, the LWV of the Tiffin Area has hosted this event prior to elections to give citizens an opportunity to meet candidates and ask questions. Dates for Candidates Night are selected well in advance of candidate filing deadlines. The March 18 event was scheduled in the summer of 2025 and announced on the website at that time. At least a month prior to the event, all candidates are invited simultaneously via email to participate in the event. If candidates are unable to attend, they are offered the opportunity to send a volunteer with literature to pass out. The board declines requests for date adjustments to be fair to all candidates. State Rep. Gary Click did not respond to the original email invitation. A LWV board member personally invited him while they both were attending an America 250 event on Feb. 21, and followed up with an alternative email address. On March 9, Click was made aware that both candidates for his seat had confirmed their participation. He responded on the morning of March 18 that he would not be at Candidates Night that evening. In addition to Candidates Night, all candidates are given an opportunity to be heard through the local LWV Voter Guide. Candidates are mailed a questionnaire, and their answers are documented directly into the Voter Guide that will be available on the LWV of the Tiffin Area's website https://www.lwvoftiffin.org and linked to the Facebook page. The next fall election Candidates Night is confirmed for Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Tiffin Middle School. All local candidates on the November ballot will be invited. The LWV of the Tiffin Area Board feels it is important to note that Click misrepresented the lawsuit between the LWV and the State of Ohio. For clarity, the state chapter of LWV sued the state government over redistricting, and prevailed in the Ohio Supreme Court with a Republican Chief Justice. The LWV did not sue the Republican Party. The LWV of the Tiffin Area had no part in this lawsuit. League of Women Voters of the Tiffin Area Board of Directors