OHIO, USA — Voters in Ohio struck down on Tuesday a constitutional amendment that would have set up a citizen-led redistricting commission to change the state’s political mapmaking system.
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The current redistricting commission is made up of four lawmakers, the governor, the auditor and the state secretary.
The proposed amendment would have changed the commission to a 15-person citizen-led group of Republicans, Democrats and independents. Members would have been selected by retired judges.
Since the measure was struck down, the redistricting commission will remain as is.
The outcome marked a defeat for the group Citizens Not Politicians, a bipartisan coalition that proposed Issue 1 as an alternative after seven straight sets of legislative and congressional maps produced under the existing setup were found to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans.
Gov. Mike DeWine and other officials campaigned against Issue 1, arguing the new commission was flawed and unaccountable. DeWine vowed to pursue his own alternative next year.
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman said voters protected their state over outside interest groups that financially supported Issue 1.
“Voters recognized that establishing an unelected, unaccountable fourth branch of government under Issue 1 was a very bad idea,” he said in a statement. “Ohio voters protected their power and their voice by defeating a well financed and secretly funded attack on democracy.”
In a statement, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce said it was pleased that voters recognized the consequences of Issue 1 and rejected it.
“We agree that the current redistricting system is flawed,” the business group said. “However, this constitutional amendment would have only created larger problems, like raising the cost of doing business in our state and making us less economically competitive.”
The chamber pledged to work with state legislators and elected officials on “the right solution for all.”