Issue 1, the effort to overhaul how statewide voting districts are set
Nov 05, 2024
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Issue 1 was a proposed constitutional amendment to change how Ohio's political districts are drawn.
The measure would eliminate the Ohio Redistricting Commission, made up of seven politicians who are responsible for drawing the districts for seats in Congress, the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate. In place of the commission, Issue 1 would create a panel of 15 Ohio citizens, selected by retired judges from across the political spectrum, who would then draw the districts.
A "yes" vote was in support of the citizen-led commission, and a "no" vote was to keep the politician's redistricting commission as is.
The organizations for and against Issue 1 both used the term "gerrymandering," a practice where political maps are manipulated to favor one side over the other, in their marketing. Proponents said that passing Issue 1 will end gerrymandering, while opponents said passing it will force more gerrymandering upon the state.
Who voted 'yes'?
Pro-Issue 1 group Citizens Not Politicians long argued a change was needed after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled seven times that the redistricting commission’s maps were unconstitutionally favoring Republicans. The group boasted endorsements from more than 100 organizations, like the American Federation of Teachers and the Ohio Farmers Union, along with support from nonpartisan election experts.
The proposal was backed by former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a Republican who served on the court for 20 years before retiring in 2022 because of mandatory age limits. At a September event in Cleveland, O'Connor said "the only people who support [gerrymandering] and benefit from it are lying politicians."
Top Ohio Democrats, like Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), House Democratic Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, agreed with O'Connor and supported Issue 1.
"Issue 1 is supported by a broad coalition of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats," Antonio said. "With a citizen-led redistricting commission, we can restore the people's trust in our government and build a healthier system that holds elected representatives accountable."
Who voted 'no'?
Anti-Issue 1 group Ohio Works argued Issue 1 would "gerrymander more than what we have now" through "an unaccountable commission" comprised of members who could yield "virtually unlimited power to spend Ohio tax dollars, with no control by Ohio voters." The group was backed by a number of organizations, like the Ohio Manufacturers' Association and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Gov. Mike DeWine and the top state's other top Republicans, like Secretary of State Frank LaRose and U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, have joined U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump spoke out against Issue 1.
In a Truth Social post, Trump argued Issue 1 "would guarantee that unqualified redistricting commissioners are not accountable to Ohio voters, and would be impossible to remove them if they abuse their power."
"Our concern is, if passed, the consequence could result in raising the cost of doing business in Ohio, making our state less competitive for business, and impacting critical issues our members care deeply about," said Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce president.