‘Citizens Not Politicians’ Resubmitting Summary Language for Ohio Redistricting Amendment
The group proposing a constitutional amendment to take redistricting power away from politicians has resubmitted summary language for the amendment Tuesday. Ohio's attorney general, David Yost, rejected the group’s first attempt last month.
Voters overwhelmingly passed constitutional amendments in 2015 and 2018 to ban gerrymandering of the state legislative and congressional maps, but the Redistricting Commission has not implemented the law correctly. The Ohio Supreme Court struck down state legislative maps five times, however, the Redistricting Commission simply ran the clock out for the 2022 elections and found a federal court to install one of the versions of the map. Now, the GOP dominated Ohio Redistricting Commission is set to begin meeting this week, with a deadline of approving final maps looming.
Former Republican Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is spearheading the Citizens Not Politicians campaign with the intention of placing the issue on the 2024 General Election ballot. Chief Justice O’Connor stated that the group reviewed A.G. Yost’s guidance and made the necessary changes.
The Citizens Not Politicians Amendment will end gerrymandering by empowering citizens, not politicians, to draw fair districts using an open and transparent process. It will:
Create the 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of Democratic, Republican, and Independent citizens who broadly represent the different geographic areas and demographics of the state.
Ban current or former politicians, political party officials, lobbyists, and large political donors from sitting on the Commission.
Require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or individual politician.
Require the commission to operate under an open and independent process.