An Ohio coalition of voter groups said Tuesday that it has the signatures needed to get a question on the November ballot that aims to take away elected officials’ power to draw legislative and congressional districts. The state alters legislative and U.S. House district boundaries every 10 years to reflect population shifts. New maps were put in place for this year’s elections. The Voters First coalition is handing in more than 430,000 signatures to state officials on Tuesday to get its constitutional amendment before voters.
The secretary of state’s office will check that the group has the more than 385,000 valid signatures required to qualify for the Nov. 6 ballot. The measure would put district mapmaking in the hands of a 12-person commission of four Democrats, four Republicans and four independents who are intended to reflect Ohio’s geographic, racial, ethnic and political diversity. Lobbyists, major political donors and elected officials couldn’t apply.
Full Article: Group wants redistricting question on Ohio ballots.