by J.D. Davidson
Ohioans on Tuesday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have replaced the current seven-member redistricting commission with a 15-member, nonpolitical commission to draw the state’s legislative districts.
Multiple news organizations reported that voters rejected Issue 1 54.5%-45.5%, with nearly 70% of the vote reported, following a months-long, expensive battle that saw Republicans pushing to keep the current system and Democrats arguing for change.
“The Ohio Chamber is pleased to see Ohio voters recognize the consequences that Issue 1 could have caused, had it passed. We agree that the current redistricting system is flawed; however, this constitutional amendment would have only created larger problems, like raising the cost of doing business in our state and making us less economically competitive,” Ohio Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Stivers said Tuesday night. “We look forward to working with state legislators and elected officials going forward to find the right solution for all.”
Also on Tuesday, Republicans increased their majority on the Ohio Supreme Court, extending a 4-3 majority to 6-1.
Republicans Joseph Deters, Dan Hawkins and Megan Shanahan easily won the three seats up for election.
“The [Republican State Leadership Committee] Judicial Fairness Initiative was proud to invest in all three of the state Supreme Court races Ohio Republicans won tonight, and we congratulate Joseph Deters, Dan Hawkins and Megan Shanahan on their victories,” RSLC-JFI President Dee Duncan said. “This is a big win for upholding the rule of law and a blow to liberals like Eric Holder, who seek to use the court to influence processes like redistricting. Ohioans made a strong statement tonight that will keep the court under Republican control for years to come.”
The initiative launched a nearly $1 million campaign in support of the three Republicans, spending $600,000 on television advertising.
Issue 1 would have changed how the state establishes congressional and statehouse districts, removing the process from the Ohio Redistricting Commission – a political group made up of five Republicans and two Democrats – and putting it into the hands of a nonpolitical citizen committee made up of 15 people, consisting of Republicans, Democrats and independents.
Citizens Not Politicians, a bipartisan coalition that pushed for the amendment, proposed 15 members who have no disqualifying conflicts of interest and have shown an ability to conduct the redistricting process with impartiality, integrity and fairness.
It also said each redistricting plan shall contain single-member districts that are geographically contiguous, comply with federal law, closely correspond to the statewide partisan preferences of Ohio voters and preserve communities.
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An Ohio native, J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He has served as a reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
