The proposed amendment would look back at the past six years of voting data and ensure that the partisan lean of the maps “correspond closely,” which in this case means within 3%. Ohio’s current system has a 10-year look back period and also requires that the maps “correspond closely,” though the limits aren’t defined.
In Ideas & Voices, hear from both sides of the issue.
FROM THE LEFT: Issue 1 will put the people of Dayton, not the politicians in Columbus, in charge
Politician-drawn voting districts are not about representing your voice; they’re about those in control maintaining power. We can take the first steps to reclaim the power that is rightfully ours by voting YES on Issue 1.
Issue 1 takes redistricting away from politicians and gives it instead to a geographically and demographically diverse group of citizens, equally balanced between 5 Republicans, 5 Democrats, and 5 voters unaffiliated with either party. It ensures that voters choose their politicians, not the other way around.
From the short time between my first vote in 2020 and now, I’ve seen the politicians on the Ohio Redistricting Commission, including the Governor, Auditor, and Secretary of State, repeatedly ignore the Ohio Supreme Court and continue to draw illegal maps. Politicians then attempted to end majority rule during the August special election last year, and, in their latest effort to fool voters, passed purposefully misleading ballot language for Issue 1 that misrepresents what the amendment is about. They are terrified of the idea that average voters, rather than partisan hacks, could take control of our political system. They won’t stop undermining our democracy until we step in and stop them.
Read the full column from CJ Wilson, Southwest Ohio Organizer with Common Cause Ohio
FROM THE RIGHT: I served on the Redistricting Commission — the process you approved worked
This campaign is a $25 million, foreign funded, out-of-state special interest, dark money attempt to overturn your voice, and gerrymander guaranteed wins for the progressive left.
It can be summarized with three main points.
Fixed outcomes. Zero accountability. An attack on democracy.
Governor Mike DeWine correctly pointed out that every single district must be drawn to favor a political party. That’s the textbook definition of gerrymandering. It repeals what voters approved in 2015. You approved a process focused on ending sprawling, oddly shaped districts, in favor of compact communities of interest.
Their 37 page, 13,000 word, shady amendment, comes with zero accountability to you the voter. Today, if you don’t like your district, you can complain to elected officials on the Redistricting Commission, or to the General Assembly. You can vote them out. This campaign creates an insulated 4th branch of government that is unaccountable to the people. When their unelected 15 member panel dissolves, voters have no recourse.
Additionally, who exactly gets to serve on this 15 member panel? Probably not you. At least not if you or your family member have a background in public service. This includes active duty military, veterans and law enforcement officers. Sorry Gold Star mom, you’re automatically excluded from the panel. This process discriminates against potentially millions of Ohioans.