Ballot measure may strip Ohio GOP of redistricting power

by Blank Frank, Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 11:56:34 AM EST

This was in today's New York Times, so I'm sure plenty of folks already know, but I thought I'd post it here just in case-- I don't know about you, but I've had Katrina tunnel vision when it comes to news lately. Maybe others have missed this, as I did till now...
Democrats and Labor Get Redistricting Vote on Ohio Ballot

The Ohio secretary of state announced yesterday that a series of election-related constitutional amendments had qualified for the November ballot, including one intended to strip Republican elected officials of their control over drawing legislative districts.

(...)

The redistricting amendment calls for an independent commission that would replace state lawmakers in determining the boundaries of legislative districts. The other amendments would lower some campaign contribution limits, extend early voting to all voters and transfer oversight of elections to an appointed election master from the secretary of state's office.

With the Ohio GOP scandal-plagued, one hopes that this will have a good shot at passing.




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Almost forgot the most important part... (none / 0)

From the same article:
The former [state] senator, Richard H. Finan [R], wants the amendments declared invalid because Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell allowed Reform Ohio Now to use out-of-state signature gatherers.

Mr. Finan has said the redistricting measure, if approved, could cost Republicans in Ohio 6 of their 12 seats in Congress and would probably inspire similar Democratic-backed efforts in other states dominated by Republicans.

I don't know about six seats; that may be sacremongering (though if the prospect is supposed make me fear for democracy, I'm afraid it doesn't).
by Blank Frank on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 12:01:46 PM EST

Eh i don't know i think in 2006 Ohio might not be (none / 0)

so Red Dominated i can see pickups in the State leg. and Gov. seat is almost certain to go to a Democrat assumeing we don't put a crazy person up.
Running the Davis, Nelson Klein team in Florida.
by Liberal on Thu Sep 08, 2005 at 05:34:31 PM EST


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