At Tuesday’s press conference, members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, along with the voter advocate Ohio Organizing Collaborative, spoke about Issue 1 redistricting reform as a way forward for communities of color and the state as a whole.
“For the first time, we have a real, enforceable path to giving Ohio’s black voters the power to elect leaders who will fight for them,” said state Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, R-Columbia.
Issue 1 proposed eliminating the current Ohio Redistricting Commission, which consists of seven elected officials, in favor of creating a 15-member citizen commission.
The ORC in its current form includes Ohio’s governor, auditor and secretary of state, as well as four lawmakers – one from each party in each house of the Legislature. Under the proposal put on the ballot in November’s general election, the 15-member citizens commission would consist of five Republicans, five Democrats and five independents selected by a bipartisan panel of former judges.
A “yes” vote on Issue 1 would create the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission. A “no” vote on Issue 1 would maintain the current Ohio Redistricting Commission.
Democrats held Tuesday’s press conference in response to “disinformation” about No. 1 spread by Republicans, most notably Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, who held her own press conference with former legislator John Barnes and other Ohioans opposed to measuring.
At her news conference, Reynolds said Issue 1 “could fragment cohesive minority voting blocs, weakening our political influence,” which Democrats say is less likely to happen under the process proposed in Issue 1 than under the current system.
According to OLBC members, under the current system, certain blocs of black voters have been “ignored” and have therefore become unemotional towards voting.
“These fair maps will likely enable these people to vote with their conscience and know that my vote counts,” said OLBC Vice President and State Senator Catherine Ingram, D-Cincinnati.
Some Democrats mocked comments from Issue 1 opponents that the measure would keep policies that benefit Black Ohioans moving forward in the Statehouse.
(*1*) the state Republican said. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, president of OLBC.
Early voting has begun in Ohio and will last until November 3
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