The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 17, 2023
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Bolts Magazine – In Ohio’s Redistricting Redo, a New Justice and a New Speaker Will Steer the Ship
Ohio Capital Journal – Discussions underway to propose new redistricting reform to Ohio voters
Ohio Capital Journal – Big Ohio redistricting changes before 2024? Don’t count on it, experts say
BallotPedia – Ohio Issue 1, Congressional Redistricting Procedures Amendment (May 2018)
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause Ohio, League of Women Voters OH, Equal Districts Ohio, Innovation Ohio
Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We told you recently how the retirement of an Ohio Supreme Court justice will likely change the court’s anti-gerrymandering majority. We have updates on her replacement, a wild card in the legislature, and a possible citizen initiative to straighten out the mess.
In 2018, Ohio voters approved constitutional amendment Issue 1 by nearly a 75% vote. One provision reads: “End the partisan process for drawing congressional districts, and replace it with a process with the goals of promoting bipartisanship, keeping local communities together, and having district boundaries that are more compact.”
Ohio’s 2020 redistricting maps were rejected by its high court on the basis of Issue 1, after both a redistricting commission and the legislature ignored it and submitted numerous gerrymandered maps. New maps were ordered before the 2024 election.
To replace former Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, Gov. Mike DeWine nominated friend and Conservative Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters. Observers are not optimistic Deters or the rest of the court will defend fair maps.
But a wild card has emerged in the Ohio House. A surprise maneuver by Democrats elected moderate Republican Jason Stephens as Speaker of the House, over a more extreme candidate. Advocates are hopeful Stephens will be an ally for fair maps.
The Ohio Capital Journal reports that discussions are underway on a future citizen ballot initiative to finally get Ohio its fair maps. We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.