Background and procedural information
A ballot measure faced voters on Nov. 5, 2005 that would've created an independent redistricting
commission. The measure ultimately failed by approximately 70% to 30%.
Under the proposed legislation, are single-member districts a requirement or otherwise implied?
Yes. The ballot initiative explicitly requires single-member districts.
Does the proposed legislation provide for Voting Rights Act compliance (e.g. can the commission use voter history information)?
Yes. The ballot initiative does not put a prohibition on the data the commission is allowed to use to draw districts.
Under the proposed legislation, how is the commission formed?
The
ballot initiative proposes a 5-member board. Under the initiative plan,
the two longest-serving state court judges from opposite parties must
each appoint one member of their party. These two members then must
meet and agree on the other three members. Of the three members chosen
by the original two, at least one must not be affiliated with any
political party, and no two can be from the same political party.
Under the proposed legislation, are competitive districts favored?
Yes. Section six of the proposed Amendment explicitly requires the drawing up of competitive districts.
Under the proposed legislation, can members of the public submit plans?
Yes.
The proposed amendment would allow for citizens to propose plans to the
committee. The commission must create a website to make certain
demographic information available to the public.
Does the proposed legislation allow for mid-decade redistricting?
The
ballot initiative also does not allow for mid-decade redistricting, but
calls for redistricting in the first odd numbered year after its
adoption (which would presumably be 2007).
Update On November 8, 2005 Ohio voters went to the polls and voted down the initiative by a vote of 71% to 29%