Appreciate your power.

• Author: Tucker, Jeffrey H.
• Position: A message FROM THE CHAIR

I was staining my deck the other day, and as I worked, I reflected on what a privilege it is to live in a country where I am able to own and maintain personal property. Beyond personal property, we also have the privilege to make our opinions heard. These singular opinions have the collective power to influence the way we live and the way business is conducted in Ohio.

A recent poll of another professional organization in Ohio found that only 40 percent of its members voted in the last presidential election. That is a startling statistic. The 23,000-plus members of The Ohio Society of CPAs have the clout to make our opinions heard. But that won't happen unless each of us speaks out and votes.

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There are a number of reasons why your vote this year is especially important. This year is a presidential election year. The decision cast by the country's votes will set the tone for the next four years. It is up to you to influence what kind of tone is set.

This is also an election year for the Ohio Supreme Court. These races are more important than many people realize. The decision cast by our votes will impact the way Ohio does business.

The Ohio Supreme Court determines case law that impacts all of us. In making these decisions, it is critical to have individuals that consider the potential impact on Ohio's business community. This November, we need to elect judges that will interpret the law instead of legislating from the bench. An impartial Supreme Court is crucial to the health of Ohio's business community.

Deciding which candidate to vote for can be a complicated process. To help you evaluate candidates, The Ohio Society has an endorsement committee of your peers examine a variety of candidates. This group of CPAs from across the state considers each candidate on a variety of issues and then recommends the individual they determine will serve in the best interest of the profession. For Ohio Supreme Court, The Ohio Society of CPAs recommends Justice Terrence O'Donnell, Judge Judith Lanzinger, and Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. For more information on the endorsement...