Ohio's Issue 1 seeks to replace the current state redistricting commission, dominated by politicians, with a citizen-led panel tasked with drawing fair and impartial electoral maps. The high-stakes battle over this proposed anti-gerrymandering reform has attracted millions in campaign spending from both sides, offering a glimpse into the powerful forces shaping the future of Ohio's political landscape.

Empowering Ohioans to Reclaim the Redistricting Process

Replacing the Political Establishment with Citizen Oversight

Issue 1 aims to fundamentally reshape Ohio's redistricting process by replacing the current commission, composed of four lawmakers and three statewide elected officials, with a 15-member Citizen's Commission. This new panel would be evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans, and independents, with the goal of ensuring a balanced and impartial approach to map-drawing. Elected officials, lobbyists, and political consultants would be barred from serving on the commission, a move designed to insulate the process from partisan influence.

Establishing Strict Redistricting Criteria and Public Engagement

The proposed amendment sets forth a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines for the Citizen's Commission to follow. These include crafting districts that comply with federal laws, aligning map boundaries with statewide election results, and keeping communities with shared "ethnic, racial, social, cultural, geographic, environmental, socioeconomic or historic" identities together. Additionally, the commission would be required to hold a series of public meetings throughout the map-drawing process, providing Ohioans with opportunities to offer input and feedback.

The High-Stakes Battle for Ohio's Political Future

The campaign for Issue 1, led by the group Citizens Not Politicians, has raised a staggering .5 million since filing the ballot initiative last August. This war chest includes million from supporters in Washington, D.C. and million from Ohioans, underscoring the national significance and local investment in this reform effort.In contrast, the opposition campaign, Ohio Works Inc., has raised .6 million and spent .5 million on advertising. Backed by the Ohio Republican Party and allied organizations, Ohio Works has received .7 million from Ohio donors and .1 million from allies in the nation's capital.

Examining the Donors and Interests Shaping the Debate

A closer look at the campaign finance filings reveals the complex web of dark money groups, mega-donors, and special interests involved in this high-stakes battle. On the anti-Issue 1 side, Ohio Works has received significant contributions from organizations like American Jobs and Growth, a Washington, D.C.-based dark money group, as well as the American Action Network, a conservative advocacy organization. Prominent individual donors include Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Texas-based investment analyst Kenneth Lawrence Fisher.On the pro-Issue 1 side, the Citizens Not Politicians campaign has drawn support from a range of liberal-leaning groups, including the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a prominent dark money operation, and the Ohio Education Association. The campaign has also received a 0,000 contribution from renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw.

The Path Forward: Ohioans Poised to Reclaim Their Political Future

As the battle over Issue 1 enters its final stretch, the stakes could not be higher. Retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a supporter of the measure, has expressed confidence in the campaign's momentum, stating that "Ohioans are ready to place an explicit ban on gerrymandering in the Ohio Constitution and put citizens not politicians in charge of drawing legislative maps."While the opposition remains steadfast, the sheer scale of the pro-Issue 1 campaign's fundraising and the groundswell of grassroots support suggest that Ohioans may be poised to reclaim their political destiny by empowering a citizen-led redistricting commission. The outcome of this pivotal vote could have far-reaching implications for the state's political landscape for years to come.