October 31, 2024 – Farah Siddiqi, Public News Service (OH)
In Ohio, the debate over Issue One has stirred strong emotions among residents and community leaders.
For many, the proposal to establish a citizens’ redistricting commission transcends politics. It represents a push for fair representation.
Marian Stewart, a retired pastor from Greene County, is a vocal supporter of the measure and frames the issue as a moral imperative.
“Rigging the maps is not fair; it’s cheating,” Stewart asserted. “Disenfranchising voters and limiting accountability does not value or respect all of our voices. It’s just wrong. That’s why I joined with faith leaders across Ohio in voting yes on Issue One.”
Stewart’s words echoed the concerns of many Ohioans who believe gerrymandered districts limit the political voice of everyday citizens. Proponents argued Issue One will ensure a fairer process by empowering a bipartisan citizens’ commission to draw electoral maps.
Critics of the measure, including some conservative groups, countered it could introduce new forms of political bias into redistricting. The opposing group had the language of the ballot issue changed to include the word “gerrymander.”
For advocates of Ohio’s labor community, the proposal is about ensuring working people’s interests are not drowned out by political manipulation.
Ted Linscott, president of the Southeast Ohio Central Labor Council, described how unfair districts can sideline Ohio’s working-class voices.
“Working people need fair voting districts so their voices can be heard,” Linscott contended. “Workers don’t need extreme right or left. We need fairness.”
The League of Women Voters of Ohio has been advocating for anti-gerrymandering reforms since 1981, underscoring the need for a responsive government.
Jen Miller, the group’s executive director, views Issue One as an important step toward accountability, noting the first initiative had support from the Ohio Republican Party but was opposed by Democrats, who held power at the time.
“The first thing that mappers did was look at the addresses of their favorite candidates and incumbents and draw lines around them, rather than drawing districts that keep communities together and make sure that Ohioans have meaningful elections,” Miller pointed out.
Ohio’s Issue One has drawn support from a diverse coalition, including labor unions, faith leaders and civic organizations, all advocating for a more representative government. As voters head to the polls, they are faced with a question beyond party lines: Should Ohio’s electoral districts be shaped by politicians or by the people they serve?
