Anti-gerrymandering groups are criticizing the language proposed for Ohio’s redistricting measure

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio civil rights groups are condemning the state elections chief’s proposed ballot language for a recirculation amendment in the fall as it comes to the vote, saying it is deliberately distorting their intent to boost opposition votes in November.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose proposes describing the Citizens Not Politicians measure as repealing “constitutional protections against fraud approved by nearly three-quarters of Ohio voters” in 2015 and 2018. While technically that is the case, it is precisely this system that has produced seven straight sets of legislative and congressional maps that courts have declared unconstitutionally rigged in favor of Republicans.

Supporters of the amendment also point to LaRose’s other loaded word choices. His proposed language says the new commission is “partisan” and would be “compelled to manipulate” district boundaries, and that the amendment would “limit the right of Ohioans to freely express their opinions” to commission members.

“The politicians who rigged the legislative maps now want to rig the Nov. 5 election by illegally manipulating the ballot language,” former Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, who helped support the fall measure, said in a statement. “We will make our case for fair and just language before the voting board and, if necessary, take it to court.”

O’Connor, a Republican who has voted swing on most map decisions, said LaRose’s language violates constitutional prohibitions against language intended to “mislead, deceive or deceive voters.”

The proposed amendment, advanced by a solid bipartisan coalitioncalls for replacing the current redistricting commission — made up of four lawmakers, the governor, the auditor and the secretary of state — with a 15-person citizen-led commission made up of Republicans, Democrats and independents. Members will be selected by retired judges.

As a member of the existing commission, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine expressed concern about the system. However, he has come out against the autumn proposal and promised to pursue an alternative in January if it is approved by voters.

Defenders of Ohio’s existing redistricting commission system point to the commission’s unanimous vote last fall on a set of Ohio House and Ohio Senate maps through 2030. However, Democrats agreed to that deal — and the lawsuits were dropped — knowing that the 2024 issue was coming.