What Happened to DeWine's Plan to Seek Changes to Ohio's Redistricting Process?
As yet another round of drawing new districts for lawmakers from Ohio starts, there's renewed frustration and concern about the redistricting process. And there are also questions about a promise Gov. Mike DeWine made to Ohio voters about addressing those issues.
Republicans largely opposed the ballot issue last fall. That included DeWine, who said if Ohio voters refused the redistricting reform constitution plan on the November ballot, he’d work toward a new process, similar to the non-partisan legislative commission that draws maps in Iowa.
“After we defeat this inherently flawed proposal, I will work with the General Assembly to introduce a resolution in the next session," DeWine said in July 2024. "We will vet that proposal. There will be hearings on it. We’ll hear from citizens on all sides and I hope then approve the resolution to place an initiative on the ballot for voters to approve the way the process should be.”
Catherine Turcer is executive director of Common Cause Ohio, a government watchdog group that was part of the coalition behind last year's proposed amendment. Turcer said she didn’t think DeWine was sincere when he made his comments prior to last fall’s vote.
“I assumed it was a fickle to get folks to vote 'no' on Citizens Not Politicians," Turcer said. "And that’s the case because nothing has actually happened."