Current:Home > BackOhio attorney general rejects language for political mapmaking reform amendment for a second time-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Ohio attorney general rejects language for political mapmaking reform amendment for a second time
View Date:2024-12-24 08:35:51
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office again rejected petition language Thursday for a constitutional amendment aimed at remaking the state’s troubled system for drawing political maps, frustrating the effort’s backers.
In his rejection letter, Republican Dave Yost said Citizens Not Politicians’ second submission had one “critical omission”: How party affiliation would be determined under the new system.
He said because a key feature of the new citizen-led redistricting commission would be political balance, “how political affiliation is determined, who makes those determinations and what rules apply are critical issues that must be included in a summary of the proposed amendment if it is to be fair and truthful.”
The group, which includes two former Ohio Supreme Court justices, aims to place the proposal on next year’s fall ballot. A spokesman said they will collect more signatures and keep trying.
“We are disappointed and frustrated that the Attorney General has chosen to reject our petition summary for a second time,” a statement said. “We adjusted our summary language as the Attorney General requested on the first submission, and we know our summary language was accurate.”
The back-and-forth is taking place as Ohio’s existing redistricting process has been stymied by political infighting.
Late Thursday, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine canceled a meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission because GOP legislative leaders had not yet been able to agree on who to appoint as their party’s co-chair.
Democrats on the panel say they are ready to name their co-chair appointee and simply are waiting for Republicans to work out their differences.
The ballot proposal would call for replacing that commission, which currently comprises three statewide officeholders and four state lawmakers, with an independent body selected directly by citizens.
The effort follows the repeated failure under the existing structure to produce constitutional maps. Courts rejected two congressional maps and five sets of Statehouse maps as gerrymandered. Amid the court disputes, Ohio’s elections were allowed to proceed last year under the flawed maps.
A 15-member citizen panel of Republicans, Democrats and independents representing a geographic and demographic cross-section of the state, called the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, would take over the process under the proposed amendment.
The two former Supreme Court justices who are part of Citizens Not Politicians are retired Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, a Republican; and Yvette McGee-Brown, a Democrat. While still on the court, O’Connor cast repeated swing votes to rule that the maps unconstitutionally benefited Republicans, siding with the three Democrats.
veryGood! (96)
Related
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- Roundup Weedkiller Manufacturers to Pay $6.9 Million in False Advertising Settlement
- Companies Object to Proposed SEC Rule Requiring Them to Track Emissions Up and Down Their Supply Chains
- Save Up to 97% On Tarte Cosmetics: Get $252 Worth of Eyeshadow for $28 and More Deals on Viral Products
- Who will be in the top 12? Our College Football Playoff ranking projection
- James Hansen Warns of a Short-Term Climate Shock Bringing 2 Degrees of Warming by 2050
- In the Crossroads State of Illinois, Nearly 2 Million People Live Near Warehouses Shrouded by Truck Pollution
- Inexpensive Solar Panels Are Essential for the Energy Transition. Here’s What’s Happening With Prices Right Now
- NFL coaches diversity report 2024: Gains at head coach, setbacks at offensive coordinator
- Meet the Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner: All the Details on the 71-Year-Old's Search for Love
Ranking
- In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
- California Snowpack May Hold Record Amount of Water, With Significant Flooding Possible
- Princess Charlotte Makes Adorable Wimbledon Debut as She Joins Prince George and Parents in Royal Box
- Here's the Reason Why Goldie Hawn Never Married Longtime Love Kurt Russell
- Exclusive Yankee Candle Sale: 50% Off Holiday Candles for a Limited Time
- Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's Cutest Family Pics With Daughter Malti
- Shell Refinery Unit Had History of Malfunctions Before Fire
- See the Photos of Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods' Surprise Reunion After Scandal
Recommendation
-
‘COP Fatigue’: Experts Warn That Size and Spectacle of Global Climate Summit Is Hindering Progress
-
Promising to Prevent Floods at Treasure Island, Builders Downplay Risk of Sea Rise
-
Ariana Grande Joined by Wicked Costar Jonathan Bailey and Andrew Garfield at Wimbledon
-
‘Rewilding’ Parts of the Planet Could Have Big Climate Benefits
-
Kid Rock tells fellow Trump supporters 'most of our left-leaning friends are good people'
-
When an Actor Meets an Angel: The Love Story of Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin
-
Determined to Forge Ahead With Canal Expansion, Army Corps Unveils Testing Plan for Contaminants in Matagorda Bay in Texas
-
Vying for a Second Term, Can Biden Repair His Damaged Climate and Environmental Justice Image?
Like
- Sean Diddy Combs' Lawyers File New Motion for Bail, Claiming Evidence Depicts a Consensual Relationship
- Save Up to 97% On Tarte Cosmetics: Get $252 Worth of Eyeshadow for $28 and More Deals on Viral Products
- Cities Stand to Win Big With the Inflation Reduction Act. How Do They Turn This Opportunity Into Results?