Ohio redistricting forum highlights potential reforms

COLUMBUS - State Senator Jon Husted and State Representative Tom Letson outlined their different plans to change Ohio’s redistricting process at a recent forum in downtown Columbus.

The officials “expressed guarded optimism” that the two chambers can agree on a compromise proposal for the November ballot, according to The Dayton Daily News. But allowed a 10-week window for the work to occur before there is a better sense of which party will end up controlling the next round of Ohio redistricting after this year’s election.

“This is bigger than any one of us…or any one of our districts,” said Sen. Husted.

Former Ohio lawmaker and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mike Stinziano urged lawmakers to capitalize on the current “atmosphere of openness” to move redistricting reform. He also emphasized citizen engagement in the process: “If you can open the door to the public…you can get the job done.” He was on hand to honor two winners in last year’s Ohio map-drawing competition sponsored by the Ohio Secretary of State and Midwest Democracy Network partner organizations, including the League of Women Voters of Ohio and Ohio Citizen Action’s Money in Politics Project.

There are “no magic words” citizens can use to ask their legislators to pass redistricting reform, said Rep. Letson. But he encouraged an honest exchange of ideas and personalized email messages or written letters were an effective way for concerned members of the public to express their views.

Ulitmately, according to Rep. Letson, “the process of how government is selected, determines how it works.”

Audience at Ohio Redistricting Forum, sponsored by Ohio Citizen Action’s Money in Politics Project, League of Women Voters of Ohio and Midwest Democracy Network with support from The Joyce Foundation

Justin Levitt of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU discussed basic facets of the process in “Redistricting 101.” George Mason’s Dr. McDonald presented findings from his “Illinois Mapping Project.” Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Salling of Cleveland State University provided information about the state’s changing population and the potential impact on redistricting. 

For more pictures and materials from the forum, visit the Midwest Redistricting website.

The Proposals
Overview of SJR 5
Overview of HJR 15

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