Hard work that led to redistricting reform must not be for naught
I carried petitions four times over a period of 14 years to get redistricting reform on the Ohio ballot. Once citizens understood what redistricting was all about and the disgrace of gerrymandered districts, they approved a constitutional amendment to reform the way Ohio political districts are drawn by an overwhelming margin in 2015.
A companion amendment to reform the way Congressional districts are drawn passed in 2018, also by a large margin.
In selecting a map that defines legislative districts on the state and federal level for the next 10 years, the Ohio Redistricting Commission must adhere to the established by these amendments to the state constitution. These rules ensure that districts are compact and contain constituents who live in proximity to one another and share a community of interests.
Any attempt to approve a map with gerrymandered districts devised to protect partisan interests would be an insult to the voters of Ohio who have clearly spoken that they want fair maps with fair districts.
Eve Herold, Worthington