Tue 8/27 @ 4:30PM
Three years ago, the Republican majority on the commission tasked with drawing new legislative and congressional districts, following the every-ten-years census, defied Ohio voters by blatantly disregarding guidelines they had placed in the state constitution for drawing districts that fairly represented the voters. Seven times they were declared unconstitutional by the state supreme court and each time the Republicans on the commission gave the court the finger.
That kicked off a citizen movement to replace to current commission, composed of politicians, with a nonpartisan citizens commission with one third Republicans, one third Democrats and one third members unaffiliated with a party, none of whom could be candidates, officeholders, lobbyists or political party staff members. After months of signature gathering, Citizens Not Politicians was certified for this November’s ballot. Republican politicians such as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose are panicked at the very real possibility it will pass and cut their majority down to a more representative size.
One of the leaders of the effort is retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, a Republican who sided with Democrats to declare the lopsided maps unconstitutional. She reached the age limit for a sitting justice and joined the effort to make state government fairly represent Ohio citizens.
O’Connor will be at the Happy Dog in Gordon Square for a ‘Happy Dog takes on redistricting” panel that will also include Dr. Kareem Crayton, vice president of the Brennan Center for Justice, to explain how the new initiative would work and how it would make a difference in Ohio if passed. Reporter Nick Castele of Signal Cleveland moderates.
It’s free and open to all.
happy-dog-takes-on-redistricting
Cleveland, OH 44102