Ohio voters will see Issue 1 on their ballots on November 5 or when they vote early in-person at the courthouse or vote by absentee ballot.
This issue, the Citizens Not Politicians Amendment, is a citizen-led initiative to end gerrymandering. It bans lobbyists and politicians from the restricting process and instead establishes the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, empowering citizen to draw fair districts using an open and transparent process.
So what is gerrymandering? It’s when districts are drawn by current politicians to keep their power with the intention of influencing elections to their advantage. Why should they care about your calls or emails if they know they are going to keep a seat for 30 years? This means a vote means less and your voice is not heard by leaders. This is not the definition of democracy.
Ohio’s voters decided at the polling place in 2015 and 2018 to end gerrymandering. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled seven times that our district maps were unconstitutional. But the current politicians in Ohio figured out how to ignore both the Ohio Supreme Court and us, the voters.
So why should you vote YES on Issue 1? The legislative maps drawn this year will determine how strong a voice each voter or each group of voters are represented for years to come. Fair maps ensure all voters are fairly represented, no matter race, background, zip code or income.
Once passed, Issue 1 replaces politicians picking your district and provides for a commission to be created of 15 citizens—five are independent, five each are from the top two parties. Members cannot be elected officials, lobbyists or political consultants. They can be veterans and farmers and sales clerks and safety officers from the community who care about fair, independent and unbiased voting districts and will work hard to create districts that provide for everyone having a voice. There are strong rules in place to make sure those picked for the commission are regular, unpolitical folks who have no ties to political parties or lobbyists.
There is plenty of unbiased and truthful information out there on this issue. But first, make sure you are registered to vote and your right address is on record at the Board of Elections (BOE). Call Wood County BOE at 419-354-9120 for information. Look at www.vote411.org for information on who is on the ballot, how to register to vote and to check your registration. Go to www.co.wood.oh.us/BOE for the hours that the Wood County Courthouse will be open for voting and much more. Check out www.citizensnotpoliticans.org for more information on Issue 1.
You have to register to vote or change your address by October 7. All of the above-listed resources will be glad to help you. It’s up to you—go make voice heard! Vote YES on Issue 1.
Karen Wood
Bowling Green
