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.

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.