Ohio Voters to Decide Redistricting Amendment

Ohio voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment proposed by the Citizens Not Politicians coalition to change the state's redistricting process. The initiative aims to replace the current Ohio Redistricting Commission, made up of elected officials, with a 15-member citizen commission composed of Republicans, Democrats, and independents, thereby removing politicians from the map-drawing process. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose certified over 535,000 valid signatures for the amendment, demonstrating significant public support. However, Governor Mike DeWine opposes the measure, arguing it would lead to increased gerrymandering, while advocates argue it restores fairness and accountability to the electoral process. This follows a history of lawsuits and criticisms regarding the fairness of maps drawn by the previous Republican-led commission. If passed, the amendment could significantly alter the political landscape in Ohio, where Republicans currently hold a supermajority despite receiving a smaller percentage of the statewide vote.