The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 16, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’ve reported for months about state officials in heavily-gerrymandered Ohio attempting to derail a citizen-led redistricting commission ballot measure. Despite disinformation from those state officials, polling shows voters are leaning toward passing the constitutional amendment in November.
Issue 1 would ditch the current politician-led commission, which resulted in two years of litigation, as redistricting maps ping-ponged between the commission, legislature, and the courts. Replacing it would be a new citizen-led commission which would include five Democrats, five Republicans and five independents, none of whom can be current or former politicians, party officials or lobbyists. It expressly forbids drawing voting districts for partisan gain, and importantly, has a completely open and transparent process.
The Ohio Ballot Commission, led by Secretary of State Frank LaRose, attempted to mislead voters by rewriting Issue 1’s description, saying that Issue 1 was itself gerrymandering. Signs by opponents of Issue 1 echo that misdirection.
Thanks to reporting and endorsements by the state’s major newspapers and an advertising push to inoculate voters from election day confusion, 60% percent of Ohioans say they plan to vote for Issue 1, 20% no, and 20% undecided in a Bowling Green State University poll. Another Baldwin Wallace University poll has 69% of Ohio voters opposing gerrymandering.
We have links to accurate explainers, local reporting, our past reports, and the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Citizens Not Politicians – Summary and Fully Text of Issue 1
Citizens No Politicians – Proposed Description and Full Text as Submitted
Ohio Secretary of State – Rewritten Description of Issue One
Brennan Center for Justice – Ohio’s Legacy of Gerrymandering Could End This November
Cincinnati Enquirer – Ohio Issue 1: Will it end gerrymandering? Top FAQs answered
Columbus Dispatch – State of Ohio Issue 1 explained: What is it? Would it stop gerrymandering?
WCMH Columbus – Majority of Ohio voters favor Issue 1 redistricting amendment, poll shows
Groups Taking Action:
Yes on Issue 1, League of Women Voters OH, Supporting Organizations
Check Your Voter Registration:
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
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