April 25, 2024
Shifting Boundaries, Shifting Power: Why Citizens — Not Politicians — Should Call the Shots on Redistricting to Shape Ohio’s Environmental Future
As Ohioans like you advocate for ways to solve the climate crisis, one solution holds surprising power in amplifying your community’s voices: fair congressional and state legislative districts.
Gerrymandering, the manipulation of voting district boundaries by lawmakers for political gain, has long undermined the ability of Ohioans to use their power at the polls. When politicians purposefully draw districts to dilute the voting power of environmental advocates, community concerns can be sidelined.
But right now, Ohioans have the power to create a future where citizens draw district maps for our politicians — not the other way around. To do this, though, we must gather enough signatures by July 3, 2024, in order to put the Citizens Not Politicians ballot initiative in front of voters in the November 2024 election.
The Citizens Not Politicians ballot initiative would eliminate the state’s politician-dominated commission for drawing state and federal legislative districts.
SPECIFICALLY, THE AMENDMENT WILL:
・Create a 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of Republican, Democratic and Independent citizens who broadly represent the different geographic areas and demographics of the state.
・ Ban current or former politicians, political party officials, lobbyists, and large political donors from sitting on the commission.
・Require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or individual politician.
・Require the commission to operate under an open and independent process.
All Ohioans deserve a healthy environment and that starts with ensuring a fair and functioning democracy.
By creating boundaries that reflect the genuine distribution of our communities, people with shared environmental concerns have more direct power to elect representatives who truly care about their community’s unique needs.
While fair districts are a crucial tool, their impact extends beyond just elections. Fair districts help build the collective power of Ohio’s environmental movement.
“RIGHT NOW, OHIOANS HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE A FUTURE WHERE CITIZENS DRAW DISTRICT MAPS FOR OUR POLITICIANS — NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.“