David Miller, March 1, 2018
The Coalition for Redistricting Reform announced today the launch of a bipartisan statewide campaign in support of State Issue 1, a constitutional amendment appearing on the May 8 primary ballot.
Ohio lawmakers passed a resolution (SJR 1) in February amending the state constitution with a new, bipartisan process for drawing the state’s congressional districts. The plan now goes before voters, who can approve it with a majority ‘yes’ vote.
The Coalition also announced the following statewide co-chairs for the Yes on Issue 1 campaign:
U.S. Representative Steve Stivers (R-Upper Arlington), Chair, NRCC
U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus)
Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina)
House Speaker Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville)
Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights)
House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton)
Ann Henkener, League of Women Voters
The statewide ballot campaign plans an aggressive effort to mobilize supporters before the May 8 primary election. The campaign will be led by a bipartisan team of advisers, including former Ohio House minority chief of staff Keary McCarthy, Ohio Environmental Council executive director Heather Taylor-Miesle, former Ohio House chief of staff Mike Dittoe and former Ohio Senate chief of staff Jason Mauk.
“The citizens who pushed this effort forward and the elected leaders who worked to forge a bipartisan compromise have both done their part to put this historic reform plan on the ballot,” said McCarthy. “Now it’s up to the voters of Ohio to approve a more balanced, bipartisan redistricting process that keeps our elections competitive and our politicians accountable.”
The campaign is already collecting a growing list of endorsements from community leaders, labor and business groups, political parties and others.