Issue 1 in Ohio: Arguments for and against citizens’ redistricting commission
This November, the top issue on ballots across Ohio is all about redistricting, which is the method of drawing maps for Ohio’s congressional and state legislative districts.
What is Issue 1?
Issue 1 is a proposed constitutional amendment that, if it passes, would change who draws these maps.
If it passes, Issue 1 would create a committee called the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, which would be comprised of 15 individuals.
The Statehouse News Bureau explained the 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission would be chosen by retired judges.
These judges, working with an independent search firm, would solicit 90 applicants interested and qualified to join the commission.
They’ll look for 30 Republicans, 30 Democrats and 30 independents “who collectively form a geographically and demographically representative cross-section of Ohio,” according to the Statehouse News Bureau.
From there, 15 of the applicants will be picked for the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Who is on the Ohio Redistricting Commission?
Voting no on Issue 1 would reject the independent commission proposal and keep the current system for future elections.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission decides how the current congressional district maps are drawn. It’s made up of seven elected officials and lawmakers, including the governor, auditor and secretary of state.
It’s not the first time a state constitutional amendment like this has been brought to voters, according to Ballotpedia.
Voters turned down the idea of forming a citizens’ redistricting commission twice, in 2012 and in 2005.
What is gerrymandering?
Redistricting is the process of drawing the maps every 10 years.
Gerrymandering means map drawers are manipulating the boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage in an election.
Read more about gerrymandering explained by Ben Bates, professor of communication and political expert in the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University.
Support for Issue 1
The League of Women Voters of Ohio expressed their support for Issue 1, citing the 2022 redistricting process which was “dragged out for over two years, with maps being ruled unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court a whopping seven times.”
Several reports list Ohio as one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, including the Brennan Center for Justice.
Visit the Citizens Not Politicians website for the full amendment and list of supporters.
Arguments against Issue 1
The Ohio Sec. of State Frank LaRose publishes arguments for and against Issue 1, including Ohio Works’ statement:
“Issue 1 creates an unaccountable commission whose members are chosen out of a hat by four retired judges, an unknown provate hiring firm and commission members themselves. Commission members would not be required to meet any minimum level of qualifications.”
Ohio Works’ statement continued by pointing out that once these new commissioners are appointed, Ohio voters wouldn’t be able to remove them, even if they committed a felony.
“Issue 1 grants these unelected commission members with virtually unlimited power to spend Ohio tax dollars with no control by Ohio voters,” Ohio Works said.
According to Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Jessie Balmert, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is not supportive of Issue 1.
The governor wants to form a different redistricting plan some time in early 2025 modeled after Iowa, one that’s separate from than the Citizens Not Politicians’ amendment on this ballot.
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This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 9:31 AM.
