State Issue 1 will ensure equal representation of districts

By Andrew Bugel

Re-drawing state district lines in Ohio has been a topic of much debate for the past number of years. In fact, the issue was first introduced and placed on the ballot in 1981, but voters did not approve the change either time.
This November will now mark the third time State Issue 1 has been on the ballot in the last 10 years, but this time, republicans and democrats both agree the issue should pass.

The Current System

Many state representatives believe the current redistricting system has many problems.
Lines are drawn based on the districts and their populations.
The Ohio Apportionment Board are the ones responsible for state legislative redistricting. The board is composed of five members; the Governor, State Auditor, Secretary of State and two members who are selected by the legislative leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties.
Currently, the Ohio Appointment Board is not bipartisan, meaning the board is not represented by both major parties. Bipartisan means being supported by both parties. Four of the committee’s five members are Republican.

In September 2011, the Ohio Apportionment Board gave final approval to the state’s redistricting plan for elections between 2012 and 2020. The plan was expected to solidify the state’s Republican majority and was approved with a four to one vote. The only opposing vote was by Democrat Armond Budish.
State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) explained just how unfair the districts are drawn in the state house for state legislators.
“Currently, the way our districts are drawn in Ohio is in an extremely partisan way,” Clyde said. “Ohio tends to be 50 percent Republican and 50 percent Democratic politically but our state district is actually about 70 percent Republican and 30 percent Democrat. We also have a 75-25 split in our representation in congress and it is just not fair.”

Clyde says changing the system is the best possible way to ensure fairness throughout the state.
“Unfortunately, districts are drawn to the advantage of one party and when the districts are rigged, it creates problems,” Clyde said. “We need a better system.”

The New System

If Issue 1 does pass, the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a bipartisan redistricting commission, would be created to draw state legislative districts, establish new requirements for district standards, and level the playing field.
The new commission would consist of seven members of the following:
– The Governor
– State Auditor
– Secretary of State
– One person appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
– One person appointed by the legislative leader of the largest political party in the house of which the speaker is not a member
– One person appointed by the President of the Ohio Senate
– One person appointed by the legislative leader of the largest political party in the senate of which the president is not a member.

State Rep. Matt Huffman (R-4) is also in support of changing the way districts are drawn and believes this year, the issue has the best chance of passing that in previous years. Huffman also sponsored the amendment.
“This is the first time the issue has been on the ballot and it has been bi-partisan supported,” Huffman said. “Republican and Democratic partied both endorsed it and everybody is working very hard to make sure voters know it is an issue that is on the ballot.”

According to Huffman, the same system has been in place since 1958. Huffman believes a new vote has been long overdue.
“I actually worked on the redistricting program after the 2010 census,” Huffman said. “I saw a lot of problems with how the system was and I just felt like it was time to make a change for the better and make everything more fair.”

Impact

While Clyde represents Portage County, she does not believe the new redistricting plan will have an imminent effect on the county.
“The Portage County district really won’t change that much,” Clyde said. “Overall, the fixing of the districts throughout the entire state is the focus. It’s definitely more of a state-wide issue.”
While Clyde and Huffman both agree that the chances of the issue passing are strong, there is no system that will please everybody in the state.
“We can’t ever draw districts that everybody will like but this plan recognizes there are political self-interests that everybody will have,” Huffman said. “Putting the Ohio Redistricting Commission in place will ensure the best chance at making sure districts and lines are drawn in the fairest way possible.”
Clyde urges voters to really take a look at the issue and make the right choice.
“I strongly support Issue 1 and I would encourage all Ohio voters to get out and vote ‘yes’ on the issue,” Clyde said.