The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 18, 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.

In a dubious decision, the Ohio Supreme Court mostly upheld the state ballot board’s intentionally misleading description for a citizen redistricting commission measure for the November ballot.

The Ohio Ballot Board, chaired by notoriously partisan Secretary of State Frank LaRose, threw out Measure 1’s original description, saying instead that the constitutional amendment for a citizen-led redistricting commission would REQUIRE gerrymandering, not forbid it.  

After the current politician-led redistricting commission and legislature gerrymandered state voting districts, Citizens Not Politicians proposed a 15-member citizen-led board which would be forbidden to create maps for partisan gain.  

The Ohio Capital Journal reports that in a 4 to 3 decision along partisan lines, the court required only two minor changes, but directed the ballot law commission to provide description language that “accurately conveys” that the public would have input into the redistricting process. 

In a stinging dissent, three justices wrote, “The majority of the members of respondent Ohio Ballot Board either do not comprehend what the board may do when approving ballot language or have placed partisan interests above their oath-sworn duties to the people of Ohio.”

We’ve linked the decision, great local reporting and the groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Ohio SOS Under Fire Again, This Time for Sabotaging the Ballot Measure Description for a Citizen-Led Redistricting Commission
Ohio Supreme Court – Decision in THE STATE EX REL. CITIZENS NOT POLITICIANS ET AL. v. OHIO BALLOT BOARD

Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio Supreme Court approves redistricting summary with only two small revisions

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens Not Politicians,  League of Women Voters OH, ACLU Ohio

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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The post Ohio Supreme Court Upholds Intentionally Misleading Description for Citizen Redistricting Ballot Measure appeared first on American Democracy Minute.