An Initiative to amend the Ohio Constitution and create a Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) will appear on the Ohio Ballot on Nov. 5th. The Initiative would replace the current Ohio Redistricting Commission, with a 15-Member CRC.
In 2015, Voters approved Ohio Issue 1, which created the Seven-Member Ohio Redistricting Commission to provide for State Legislative Districts. The Ohio Redistricting Commission is a Politician Commission structured to require that at least Two Members are from the Legislature’s Minority Party.
To approve a Legislative Redistricting Plan for 10 years, at least Two Members from each Major Political Party must agree to the Plan. If the Commission fails to achieve a Bipartisan Vote, a Plan can be passed by a simple Majority vote of any Four Members, but this plan will only last for Four years.
In 2018, Voters Approved a Constitutional Amendment, also titled Issue 1, on Congressional Redistricting. Before Issue 1, the Ohio General Assembly was responsible for adopting the State’s Congressional Redistricting Plan. The Legislature could adopt a 10-year Congressional Redistricting Plan with 60% of Members in each Chamber Voting in Favor and 50% of Republicans and 50% of Democrats Voting in favor.
If the Legislature Fails to meet these Vote requirements, the Seven-Member Ohio Redistricting Commission, established via Issue 1 in 2015, would have a chance to adopt a 10-year Congressional Redistricting Plan with Support from at least Two Members of the Minority Party.
If the Commission Fails to Adopt a Plan, the Legislature would get a Second Opportunity to adopt a 10-year Plan, but with a Lesser requirement of One-third of the Members from the Two Major Parties supporting the Proposal.
Failure at this Stage would result in the Legislature adopting a Plan through a simple Majority Vote, with No Bipartisan Vote requirement but Stricter criteria, and with the Plan lasting Two General Election Cycles (four years), rather than 10 years.
The Coalition for Redistricting Reform led the Campaign in support of Issue 1. No PACs opposed it. The Coalition raised $221,227. The Three largest Donors were Strong Communities Ohio ($56,977), the National Democratic Redistricting Committee PAC ($50,000), and Ohioans for a Healthy Economy ($15,000).
Both the 2015 and 2018 Initiatives were used in the Redistricting process following the 2020 Census.
In 2023, the "Citizens Not Politicians" PAC launched an Initiative Campaign to Replace the systems enacted in 2015 and 2018, with the "Citizens Redistricting Commission". The Commission would be responsible for adopting State Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Plans, and would have 15 Members: Five Republicans, Five Democrats, and Five Independents or Members of other Political Parties.
Citizens Not Politicians raised $3.15 million through Dec. 31st, 2023. The Next Campaign Finance Deadline is July 31st, 2024. The Largest Donors were Article IV ($550,000), a Nonprofit associated with John and Laura Arnold; Sixteen Thirty Fund ($550,000); and the ACLU ($504,990).
There is No Organized Opposition to the Initiative yet. The Ohio Ballot Board must Approve the Ballot Language for the Initiative by Aug. 22nd.
In 33 States, State Legislatures play the Dominant Role in Congressional Redistricting. In Eight States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Washington, Commissions draw Congressional District lines. Eight of these have Non-Politician Commissions. New Jersey has a Politician Commission.
In Two States: New York and Virginia, Legislatures share Redistricting Authority with Commissions. The remaining States comprise One Congressional District each, rendering Redistricting unnecessary.
State Legislatures play the Dominant Role in State Legislative Redistricting in 34 States.
Commissions draw State Legislative District lines in 14 States, of which Nine have Non-Politician Commissions, and Five have Politician Commissions. New York and Virginia use Hybrid systems.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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