Gerrymandering in Ohio: end in sight?
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 4:08 pm
I want to post an update on the past 24 hours' news on this topic, which I have addressed in this forum a few times these past several months, for reasons elaborated here.
As of today, both houses of the General Assembly have voted in support of a new congressional redistricting process. SJR 5 has solid bipartisan approval, as well as the support of the League of Women Voters-led coalition which has been working on its own reform initiative. Here's what the coalition posted last night, after a unanimous vote in the Ohio Senate. Ohio Governor Kasich also supports SJR 5.
Lakewood's state Rep. Nickie Antonio voted for the measure, today. I believe state Sen. Mike Skindell was unable to be in Columbus for last night's vote, owing to recent injury. I think his intense critique of the early drafts of this legislation (some of which I heard in person last month) deserves real credit for the better version which emerged, along with the efforts of Sen. Vernon Sykes and a handful of others.
What happens now:
This measure is now headed to the May 8 primary ballot, for Ohio voters to approve or disapprove. (I presume it will get an official issue number soon, since the ballot deadline is Wednesday. fyi, any registered voter can vote in the May primary, whether you request a D, R or issues-only ballot.) If approved by voters, the new process will enter the Ohio Constitution, and guide the next congressional redistricting in 2021.
What does this do:
Very simplified version, it should put an end to partisan gerrymandering in Ohio, by calling for substantial bipartisan support for future maps. If that doesn't happen there are some back-up provisions which also seem sound; I'm going to read more about these in the days ahead, but I think it's entirely possible they will never come into use.
Want to know more?
The PD, The Dispatch and The Atlantic all have articles.
There's also an event scheduled in Lakewood, 7pm on February 21 at the offices of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus. City Council member Tristan Rader and I are both lined up to speak. Unless I hear otherwise, I presume the event is still on, and will probably be re-geared toward explaining this statehouse measure.
The Fair Districts Coalition:
For now, the reform coalition plans to continue circulating the petitions that many of you have signed, mostly as a precaution. If the statehouse measure passes on May 8, which seems realistic, then the initiative petitions will never be filed. In the meantime, the coalition will probably be devoting most of its energies to explaining and campaigning for the statehouse measure.
Personal thoughts:
I have been collecting signatures for this petition since June 3 of last year. At county fairs, on every street in my precinct and several other neighborhoods; in the fading evening light as autumn advanced, in bitter cold. I have driven to Columbus twice, testified once, and given a podcast interview. It's a little unreal to believe that, even if nothing is over quite yet, the goal of getting positive reform on the ballot is now basically accomplished. I'm grateful for the support of those who signed, the incredible volunteer community I have been honored to work with, the local media which honestly did some outstanding coverage of this issue, the legislators who fought with us from inside the statehouse…
I'm also especially grateful to the reform leaders, not only in this effort but in the literally decades' worth of efforts which preceded it. Ultimately the most credit belongs to those who, prior to the 2015 reform that applied to statehouse districts, persisted even in the face of defeat after defeat. I'm incredibly lucky to have walked into this just last year.
As of today, both houses of the General Assembly have voted in support of a new congressional redistricting process. SJR 5 has solid bipartisan approval, as well as the support of the League of Women Voters-led coalition which has been working on its own reform initiative. Here's what the coalition posted last night, after a unanimous vote in the Ohio Senate. Ohio Governor Kasich also supports SJR 5.
Lakewood's state Rep. Nickie Antonio voted for the measure, today. I believe state Sen. Mike Skindell was unable to be in Columbus for last night's vote, owing to recent injury. I think his intense critique of the early drafts of this legislation (some of which I heard in person last month) deserves real credit for the better version which emerged, along with the efforts of Sen. Vernon Sykes and a handful of others.
What happens now:
This measure is now headed to the May 8 primary ballot, for Ohio voters to approve or disapprove. (I presume it will get an official issue number soon, since the ballot deadline is Wednesday. fyi, any registered voter can vote in the May primary, whether you request a D, R or issues-only ballot.) If approved by voters, the new process will enter the Ohio Constitution, and guide the next congressional redistricting in 2021.
What does this do:
Very simplified version, it should put an end to partisan gerrymandering in Ohio, by calling for substantial bipartisan support for future maps. If that doesn't happen there are some back-up provisions which also seem sound; I'm going to read more about these in the days ahead, but I think it's entirely possible they will never come into use.
Want to know more?
The PD, The Dispatch and The Atlantic all have articles.
There's also an event scheduled in Lakewood, 7pm on February 21 at the offices of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus. City Council member Tristan Rader and I are both lined up to speak. Unless I hear otherwise, I presume the event is still on, and will probably be re-geared toward explaining this statehouse measure.
The Fair Districts Coalition:
For now, the reform coalition plans to continue circulating the petitions that many of you have signed, mostly as a precaution. If the statehouse measure passes on May 8, which seems realistic, then the initiative petitions will never be filed. In the meantime, the coalition will probably be devoting most of its energies to explaining and campaigning for the statehouse measure.
Personal thoughts:
I have been collecting signatures for this petition since June 3 of last year. At county fairs, on every street in my precinct and several other neighborhoods; in the fading evening light as autumn advanced, in bitter cold. I have driven to Columbus twice, testified once, and given a podcast interview. It's a little unreal to believe that, even if nothing is over quite yet, the goal of getting positive reform on the ballot is now basically accomplished. I'm grateful for the support of those who signed, the incredible volunteer community I have been honored to work with, the local media which honestly did some outstanding coverage of this issue, the legislators who fought with us from inside the statehouse…
I'm also especially grateful to the reform leaders, not only in this effort but in the literally decades' worth of efforts which preceded it. Ultimately the most credit belongs to those who, prior to the 2015 reform that applied to statehouse districts, persisted even in the face of defeat after defeat. I'm incredibly lucky to have walked into this just last year.