Ohio’s gerrymandered maps take voting power away from Black communities, supporters of fair maps told media this week.
This was determined by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University 77% of Ohioans (approximately 9.1 million people) live in “districts where elections for state representatives are not seriously contested”” – according to their latest study.
“This report confirms what happens when the redistricting process and those responsible for it draw districts that all but guarantee the outcome of state legislative races, often at the expense of reducing the voting power of black voters in the state,” said Petee Talley, executive director and founder of the Ohio Unity Coalition.
Talley said Ohio’s gerrymandered districts make it harder for voters of color to have their voices heard on the ballot.
“We felt an impasse in the election results in Black communities where we were fighting over who would represent us,” said Jeniece Brock, director of policy and advocacy at the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. “Historically, our communities have been segregated and packed into districts that do not allow us to meaningfully engage in the political process or to have healthy competition among candidates for representation in the House of Representatives.”
Ohio NAACP Conference President Tom Roberts questioned whether decisions made at the Statehouse, such as private school vouchers and fracking in state parks, actually reflect citizen expectations.
“Citizens are just scratching their heads and asking, ‘Who makes these decisions and why do they make these decisions?’ And the answer is that there is no one to stop them,” he said.
November elections
The study shows that as voters wait for the November election, 15 of 99 districts will not have a choice between Democratic and Republican candidates in the November election.
This means that sixty-two districts will be non-competitive districts where the partisan drawing favors one party by 55% or more.
As a result, most Ohioans remain in counties where election results are determined before the first vote is cast, Brock said.
The results of the study were frustrating, but they also made her realize how critical it was to have straightforward maps.
“It’s something that we will continue to fight for and make sure that people feel represented and that they have people who will listen to the needs of their community, whether it’s safe neighborhoods, fresh water, clean air or better health care.” – she said.
A civic initiative, not a political one
Citizens Not Politicians has proposed a constitutional amendment that would create a 15-member citizens’ redistricting commission that would include five Republicans, five Democrats and five independent candidates. No current or former politician would be eligible to serve on the committee.
“A different commission composition could provide a change that ensures racial diversity on a commission that is sensitive to the concerns of the diverse communities in our state and draws district maps that center community needs and voter preferences rather than the interests of those in power.” Talley said.
Brock believes a citizens’ initiative would be a limpid and inclusive process.
“Because citizens drive the process, there is no pressure on either side to be able to act a certain way, to have their voices heard by the community and to be able to create maps that are fair and representative,” she said.
Supporters of the Citizens Not Politicians Initiative must collect 413,487 valid signatures from state voters by July 3.
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