{"id":2315463,"date":"2024-07-29T12:57:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T16:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ohio-voters-to-decide-on-redistricting-reform-this-election-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T13:01:04","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T17:01:04","slug":"ohio-voters-to-decide-on-redistricting-reform-this-election-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ohio-voters-to-decide-on-redistricting-reform-this-election-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Ohio voters to decide on redistricting reform this election &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fohio-voters-to-decide-on-redistricting-reform-this-election-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2315463&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ohio voters\u2062 will\u200b have the chance to reform the state&#8217;s congressional and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-republicans-pitch-new-legislative-maps-without-showing-democrats\/\" title=\"Wisconsin Republicans propose new maps, exclude Democrats\">legislative redistricting process<\/a> in the upcoming election. A coalition called Citizens Not Politicians successfully gathered over 700,000 signatures to support a\u2064 constitutional amendment, with enough verified signatures certified by the Secretary \u200cof State. The current redistricting maps, established by a Republican-led commission, have been declared unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court. Retired Chief Justice Maureen O\u2019Connor noted that the amendment represents a significant move towards restoring fairness in elections,\u2063 allowing citizens to regain power from self-serving politicians.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed change would revamp the Ohio Redistricting\u200d Commission, shifting from its current partisan structure to a 15-member commission composed of citizens, thereby excluding current politicians, registered lobbyists, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-justice-john-roberts-refuses-to-testify-before-congress\/\" title=\"Supreme Court Justice John Roberts Refuses to Testify Before Congress\">major political donors<\/a>. \u2063Currently, Republicans hold approximately\u200d 70% of legislative seats, despite receiving only about 56% of the statewide vote in recent elections. The outcome of this amendment could significantly alter the political landscape and address gerrymandering concerns in Ohio.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Ohio voters to decide on redistricting reform this election<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1709561\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Voters in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ohio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Ohio<\/a> will soon be given the opportunity to overhaul how the state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/redistricting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"draws\">draws<\/a> its congressional and legislative maps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Citizens Not Politicians, the coalition of organizations behind the constitutional amendment, sent Secretary of State Frank LaRose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3066111\/ohio-redistricting-reform-gathers-700000-signatures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>more than 700,000 signatures<\/a> earlier this month, and LaRose certified 535,000 signatures last week. The existing maps, enacted in 2020, were drawn by a Republican-led commission of elected officials and have been repeatedly found unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This certification is a historic step towards restoring fairness in Ohio&rsquo;s electoral process,&rdquo; retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O&rsquo;Connor said in a statement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;With this amendment on the ballot, Ohioans have the chance to reclaim their power from the self-serving politicians who want to stay in power long past their expiration date,&rdquo; the statement continued.<\/p>\n<p>The Ohio Redistricting Commission is made up of seven spots, two of which always go to Republicans and two always go to Democrats. The three remaining seats include the governor, the secretary of state, and the auditor, who are all presently Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>If approved, the constitutional amendment would overhaul the Ohio Redistricting Commission and create a 15-member citizen commission. Current politicians, registered lobbyists, and large political donors would be prohibited from joining the commission.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Volunteers with Citizens Not Politicians deliver petitions from citizens around the state of Ohio at Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose&rsquo;s office on July 1, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo\/Patrick Orsagos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Republicans in the state now hold around 70% of all legislative seats, but they only received about 56% of the statewide vote in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rumors-amp-up-around-potential-pompeo-2024-white-house-run\/\" title=\"Rumors Amp Up Around Potential Pompeo 2024 White House Run\">recent election cycles<\/a>, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/local\/cleveland\/2024\/07\/29\/ohio-consitutional-amendment-2024-election-gerrymandering-redistricting-reform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>Axios<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was such an incredible feeling to know that we made the ballot,&rdquo; Jen Miller from the League of Women Voters, which is a part of Citizens Not Politicians, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news5cleveland.com\/news\/politics\/ohio-politics\/ohio-advocates-plan-to-hold-lawmakers-accountable-with-anti-gerrymandering-reform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a>. &ldquo;This is about the everyday people of Ohio taking power back.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When politicians and lobbyists get to rig maps, it harms every Ohio voter and our democracy,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<p>&#8203;<a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is the only statewide ballot initiative on the Ohio ballot this election. Republican state Senate President Matt Huffman has been a vocal critic of the proposal.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think that the people who are making an important decision like this ought to be elected officials who are accountable to the public, not unknown bureaucrats somewhere, someplace,&rdquo; Huffman told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news5cleveland.com\/news\/politics\/ohio-politics\/ohio-advocates-plan-to-hold-lawmakers-accountable-with-anti-gerrymandering-reform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>ABC 5 Cleveland<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1709561\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1709561\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ohio voters will soon have the chance to reform the process of drawing congressional and legislative maps in the state. The coalition known as Citizens Not Politicians submitted over 700,000 signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose earlier this month, with LaRose certifying 535,000 of those signatures last week. The current maps, created by a Republican-led commission in 2020, have been deemed unconstitutional multiple times by the Ohio Supreme Court. Retired Chief Justice Maureen O\u2019Connor stated that this certification marks a significant move towards restoring fairness in Ohio&#8217;s electoral system. She emphasized that with this amendment on the ballot, Ohioans can reclaim their power from politicians who prioritize their own interests over public service.<\/p>\n<p>The existing Ohio Redistricting Commission consists of seven members: two Republicans and two Democrats are guaranteed seats, while the remaining three positions are held by statewide officials\u2014currently all Republicans (the governor, secretary of state, and auditor). If passed, the proposed constitutional amendment would restructure this commission into a 15-member body composed of citizens only; current politicians, registered lobbyists, and major political donors would be barred from serving on it.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, Republicans occupy about 70% of legislative seats despite receiving only around 56% of votes statewide in recent elections. Jen Miller from the League of Women Voters expressed excitement about making it onto the ballot and highlighted that this initiative is about empowering everyday citizens in Ohio. She noted that when politicians manipulate district maps for their benefit it undermines democracy for all voters.<\/p>\n<p>This proposal is currently the only statewide ballot initiative for this election cycle in Ohio. However, Republican Senate President Matt Huffman has criticized it by arguing that important decisions like these should be made by elected officials accountable to voters rather than &#8220;unknown bureaucrats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2315464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ohio-ballot-measure-1.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[3728,4333,5894,36538,4223],"class_list":["post-2315463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-election","tag-ohio","tag-politics","tag-redistricting-reform","tag-voters"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ohio-ballot-measure-1.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2315463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2315463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2315463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2315463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}