gerrymandering
Ohio redistricting advocates eye ballot after disappointment in court
After the Ohio Supreme Court put a damper on efforts to challenge the current Statehouse redistricting plan, anti-gerrymandering advocates are moving on, with their sights on redistricting reform via the ballot box. Those supporting reformed redistricting in Ohio that would eliminate the elected official-led Ohio Redistricting Commission with an independent panel of state residents took […]
Ohio Supreme Court dismisses redistricting challenge, leaving Statehouse maps in place
In a drastic change from previous rulings, a partisan majority on the Ohio Supreme Court chose to leave Statehouse redistricting maps in place for 2024 and beyond, denying a challenge to the constitutionality of the newest maps. In a 4-3 ruling released Monday evening, right-wing justices on the court pointed to the bipartisan support of […]
Signature collection can begin anew after Ohio redistricting amendment passes next step
The newest measure to change the Ohio Constitution and reform the redistricting process in Ohio has cleared its most recent hurdle: a typo. The Ohio Ballot Board met Monday, quickly certifying a proposed constitutional amendment that would “replace the current politician-run redistricting process.” The board’s only role is to determine if an amendment follows the […]
Countering Ohio redistricting challenge, commission members discredit anti-gerrymandering arguments
Republican members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission say Statehouse district map challengers don’t have a leg to stand on, even alleging the groups want gerrymandering themselves. The commission members responded in court filings to a challenge of new General Assembly maps, which were passed unanimously at the end of September by the commission. Anti-gerrymandering groups […]
National anti-gerrymandering group gives Ohio redistricting failing grade
Ohio was one of seven states to receive the worst grade on its redistricting process and efforts, according to a report by the national group Common Cause. The national group that works against gerrymandering and promote voting rights completed a report of all 50 states and profiled redistricting state-by-state with the help of a coalition […]
How efforts to restrict democracy in Ohio also make it harder to fight climate change
Ohio’s recent adoption of gerrymandered voting district maps is the latest in a series of anti-democratic measures that thwart action to address climate change, critics say. Data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication show a majority of Ohioans believe climate change is happening and worry about it. A majority also favor regulating carbon […]
Advocacy groups challenge newest Ohio House and Senate redistricting maps
The recently-adopted Ohio House and Senate district maps have now received an official challenge with the Ohio Supreme Court. Attorneys filed the challenge with the state’s highest court on Thursday, saying the Ohio Redistricting Commission “continues its open defiance of this Court’s orders” and asking that the court once again invalidate the maps as unconstitutional, […]
Ohio Attorney General clears third attempt for 2024 anti-gerrymandering amendment proposal
An Ohio anti-gerrymandering ballot amendment proposal for 2024 that has been in limbo after two different rejections from the Attorney General’s Office has now been certified to go forward after its third attempt. Attorney General Dave Yost on Monday certified the petition language for an amendment that would create an “Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission” and […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission co-chair defends Dem teamwork, despite process issues, criticism
Redistricting concluded on Tuesday with the adoption of new Statehouse maps that had unanimous approval from all members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The vote represents the first bipartisan agreement on maps, though the bipartisan agreement was lopsided, with only two Democrats on the current seven-member commission. The maps give the GOP 61 of 99 […]
Ohio politicians used redistricting for gerrymandered horse-trading. Kick them out of the process
It should be abundantly clear to all fair-minded Ohioans at this point that politicians have no business being involved in the redistricting process after lawmakers used the latest round of Ohio House and Senate district mapmaking to strike a bipartisan deal that amounts to little more than gerrymandered horse-trading. Fittingly under the cover of darkness […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts sixth version of Statehouse maps with bipartisan support
The Ohio Redistricting Commission reached bipartisan agreement as it passed new Statehouse maps late Tuesday night after a few more hours of public comment, and then negotiation behind closed doors. The maps show a Republican-to-Democratic advantage of 61 to 38 in the Ohio House, with eight Democratic toss-up seats and three GOP toss-ups. In the […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission spends Jewish high holy day in doubleheader public meetings
In a region representing a major majority of Jewish communities in the state, the Ohio Redistricting Commission spent the holiest day of the religion’s calendar talking Statehouse maps. The ORC met at Punderson Manor Lodge & Conference Center in Newbury on Monday for a morning and evening public hearing. Democrats said they requested an additional […]