Issue 1 explained amid concerns over 'confusing' ballot language
As Ohio voters cast their ballots this fall, Issue 1 will be an amendment Ohioans will be asked to decide on.
It's intended to stop gerrymandering by creating a bi-partisan group of citizens who would draw district lines, but there are concerns that the language on the ballot will imply this amendment does the opposite.
The amendment was spearheaded by a former Ohio Supreme Court Justice and a group called "Citizens Not Politicians."
If you vote yes on Issue 1, you agree to change how Ohio's districts are drawn. Right now, those districts that heavily favor Republicans are drawn by lawmakers and have been widely criticized for helping make it challenging for any opponent to win.
Issue 1 would establish a new, citizen-led redistricting commission in 2025.
This group would comprise 15 individuals without any outside political interests, including five Republicans, five Democrats and five independents, all of which will be determined based on voting records, according to the amendment proposal.
In other words, Issue 1 takes the lawmakers out of the equation.
A bipartisan screening panel of four retired judges will review applicants: two Republican and two Democratic.
Those who crafted Issue 1 said the intention is to take politics out of the matter, establish more transparency and avoid drawing maps in favor of political gain, but the ballot language is confusing, according to those backing the bill and local voter registration organizers.
That's because the ballot language approved by the Ohio Ballot Board said the measure will "require gerrymandering," which is a term commonly used to mean that a district is unfairly drawn to give one party an advantage.
Members of the Ballot Board, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, have been vocal opponents of Issue 1.
"I do think that it was crafted to confuse voters. I think that voters will be confused by that language because it is an amendment that was designed to basically do away from gerrymandering and that word is used in the ballot language," Samie Winick, Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council Social Action Committee said, "Voters need to educate themselves on the on the issue, and they need to go to trusted sources."