Advocates take first step toward independent redistricting commission in Ohio

[Diamond_Dog]

This is very promising since Issue 1 went down in flames!

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Shortly after the defeat of Ohio Issue 1, redistricting reform advocates took the first step toward a ballot measure that would strip politicians of their mapmaking powers.

The proposed consitutional amendment, submitted to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for an initial language review Monday, would scrap the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a seven-member body created to draw districts for the Ohio House and Senate, and wrest mapmaking from Ohio lawmakers on the congressional map.

Instead, a 15-member commission of Democrats, Republicans and independents from across the state would draw the lines.

Under the proposal, current and former politicians, political party officials, lobbyists and certain large political donors would be barred from serving on the new "Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission." The commission would be prohibited from drawing districts that favor one party or politician over the others.

More

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/14/ohioans-collect-signatures-for-independent-redistricting-commission/70587159007/

[WestMichRad]

1. Sounds like it could be modeled after what we did in Michigan.

I think it’s been very successful here in MI. We have a pretty evenly divided legislature (Dems hold a slight majority in both chambers).

RePukes in MI fought the Citizens Redistricting Commission ballot initiative every step of the way… and lost, thankfully. Expect them to fight every step of the way in OH, too.