Oct 15, 2024 Story by: Editor
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment to reform Ohio’s legislative districting process argue that it would undermine minority representation in both state and federal government. Supporters of the amendment, however, dismiss these claims as misleading tactics aimed at confusing voters.
Representatives from the Black Equity and Redistricting Fund, a political nonprofit not required to disclose its donors, argue that the new districting criteria outlined in state Issue 1—such as compactness, communities of interest, and partisan fairness—would diminish the influence of minority communities in Ohio’s urban areas.
They point to Michigan’s experience, where a 2018 anti-gerrymandering law unintentionally weakened minority representation. “The dilution of minority representation resulted from rules designed to combat gerrymandering, which backfired against minority communities,” said Rebecca Szetela, an independent member and former chair of Michigan’s Citizens Redistricting Commission. Szetela added that the problem was worsened by commission members who misunderstood redistricting complexities and disregarded public feedback, relying instead on consultants.
In Michigan, legislative districts rooted in Detroit—historically minority-dominated and impoverished—were split and merged with wealthier, less diverse areas in neighboring counties, explained former Democratic Michigan Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo during a campaign event in Warrensville Heights. This redistricting led to fewer people of color being elected to state and federal positions.
Ohio Senate Democrats countered this perspective, accusing the group of spreading misinformation. “It’s unfortunate that critics of Issue 1 think Ohioans aren’t capable of understanding what they’re voting on,” said Sen. Nickie J. Antonio. “This seems to be yet another last-minute attempt by Republicans to mislead voters about the urgent need for redistricting reform. Civil rights organizations like the Ohio Conference NAACP, the Ohio Unity Coalition, and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus are advocating a ‘yes’ vote, showing Issue 1 is essential to ending Ohio’s history of partisan gerrymandering, which harms marginalized communities,” Antonio added.
The Black Equity and Redistricting Fund, a social welfare nonprofit, was co-founded by Gay-Dagnogo and former Ohio State Rep. John Barnes, a Democrat from Cleveland. Gay-Dagnogo’s former Detroit district, largely populated by low-income residents, was redistricted to stretch into Oakland County, which includes affluent areas like Birmingham. This shift increased suburban populations in districts, where wealthier residents tend to have more influence in campaigns, leaving impoverished areas underrepresented, according to Gay-Dagnogo.
Issue 1 in Ohio would require its citizen-led commission to consider proportionality, meaning districts should reflect the political leanings of the state’s voters based on recent election results. The current system has created historic Republican supermajorities in the Ohio Statehouse and a significant Republican advantage in Ohio’s congressional delegation, despite Republicans winning about 56% of the vote between 2014 and 2022.
Szetela warns that the push for proportionality could split urban districts to balance suburban and rural areas. “Proportionality will require the fracturing of cities,” she said. Barnes echoed this concern, noting that in Ohio, such a dilution would weaken the influence of minority voters in poorer areas, a group already struggling with low turnout.
Source: Cleveland
