Greater Cleveland Congregations launches "Voter Virginity" campaign

Driving the news: Monday was National Voter Registration Day, and both local and national organizations are hosting events throughout the week to encourage voter participation in the upcoming November election.

What they're saying: "There's a vacuum of joy in voting," said Rev. James Crews of Antioch Baptist Church. "And so we're shaking it up."

• "As Americans, we celebrate all kinds of rites of passage: driver's licenses, high school graduations, 21st birthdays. It's time to put voting on that hallowed list."

Between the sheets: GCC is an organization made up of Northeast Ohio religious congregations, and the use of bedroom innuendo made some of the ministers blanch at first.

• "I'm a conservative minister," said Vikki Jackson of Elizabeth Baptist Church. "This campaign slogan caused me to pause and say, 'shut the front door.' But we are in desperate times, and desperate times call for bold measures."

What they're doing: GCC has purchased local billboards and RTA bus signs and will begin weekend canvassing in 10 Northeast Ohio neighborhoods starting Sep. 28, its leaders said at a press conference.

• GCC executive director Keisha Krumm told Axios the group won't be campaigning for specific candidates or ballot measures — apart from Issue 1, the anti-gerrymandering amendment.
• "Our issue is voter suppression and voter depression," said Rabbi Josh Caruso of Fairmount Temple.