Voter coalition to submit signatures in ballot effort reform Ohio redistricting

7/3/2012

COLUMBUS — An Ohio coalition of voter groups says 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 said Tuesday it would submit to state officials more than 430,000 signatures to get its constitutional amendment before voters. The group needs more than 385,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

The proposal would put district mapmaking in the hands of a 12-person citizen commission intended to reflect Ohio’s geographic, racial, ethnic and political diversity. Lobbyists, donors and elected officials couldn’t apply.