Fix redistricting? Sure, but how?

by Jim Siegel The Columbus Dispatch Nov. 19, 2012
...."With the defeat of state Issue 2, an effort to turn over Ohio’s redistricting process to a citizens commission, attention now turns to what elected leaders are going to do to fix a system that many in both parties have agreed is broken.....
Sidebar:
Brennan Center for Justice makes variety of suggestions.

Keep hope alive in Ohio

Process of drawing legislative and congressional maps may change

By  Jim Siegel The Columbus Dispatch Monday November 12, 2012 

"..... over and over again, opponents of the redistricting plan, be they Republicans or editorial-page writers, noted that their opposition was not based on the belief that the current system of drawing legislative and congressional districts is good.

In fact, most acknowledged that it remains badly in need of an overhaul." 

“It is an outdated process that is leading to a toxic political environment, because everybody is so partisan,” Husted said. .....

Slate.com

  It’s Appalling that Gerrymandering Is Legal 

And if the Supreme Court guts the Voting Rights Act, it’s going to get a lot worse.


"The maps are amazing: Ohio and Pennsylvania, states that went blue for Barack Obama, have congressional delegations that are heavily red. As David Weigel pointed out Wednesday, the maps show how gerrymandering saved the Republican majority in the House. ".........

Ohio Voting Map - Home

Ohio Fights Grotesque Gerrymanders
Daily Kos Aug. 6, 2012 by hungeski

quote from this article:

.....In 2010 Republicans again gained control of the three state offices. But these are today's Republicans, abusers of power that turned the U.S. Senate filibuster from exception to routine, and that took the nation to the brink of default. These Republicans stretched the gerrymanders to their grotesque limit, as we have seen in the 4th and 9th districts, and can see in the full 2012 map

But a citizens' backlash has arisen to fight the grotesque gerrymanders,...."

Ohio Fights Grotesque Gerrymanders

Issue 2 backers say GOP mailer is false

Issue 2 backers say GOP mailer is false

blank check for the commission, how commission members are chosen, how commission members could be removed are part of Voters First complaint filed with the Ohio Elections Commission over Issue 2.


Please vote Yes on issue 2

Library of Congress unveils new bill-tracking site

Library of Congress unveils new bill-tracking site to replace THOMAS - The Hill's Hillicon Valley Congress.gov offers a host of improvements over the old service. The site is now accessible on mobile devices and features live and archived video

of floor debates. 

How Republicans handled redistricting last year in OH

Ohio Republican Party Lied to Reporter During Secret Redistricting Process

from this item:
"Over the next few months you’re going to hear a lot of distortion and misinformation coming from Republicans about the redistricting reforms being proposed by Issue 2 / Voters First, but the main question you need to ask is this:  do you want an independent panel of citizens drawing competitive districts?  Or a bunch of partisan hacks hiding in secret bunkers and drawing gerrymandered districts that favor their own party – all while lying to the press?
PlunderBund (http://s.tt/1nALx)

Ohio Needs Redistricting Reform

Mike Curtin on Why Ohio Needs Redistricting Reform

F.A.Q. about Issue 2

F.A.Q.

If you can, print this one page q&a about the redistricting reform amendment you will be voting for in November. Make a copy for a friend or neighbor while you are at it.