The vote was close and both logos had fans. Laura Cotton who voted for the winner said, “The purple is great from a symbolic perspective, but the other is really a better design. It will also be cheaper to print only 2 colors.”

“Both are good designs, but Option A seems more direct, clean and simple to recreate,” commented Jan Underwood.

Mary Ann Barnes describes her reason for supporting the winning logo, “While option B cleverly colors us as a purple state, I prefer the greater simplicity and use of one less color tone in option A. Option A would be easier to use for printed materials, with or without color.”

Katie Valeska Wright who created the logos is excited to work with the Fair Districts = Fair Elections campaign and said, “Redistricting reform is my number one cause because without fair and competitive elections, we don't have much of a democracy. It's a bipartisan issue—when an official is in a 'safe' (gerrymandered) seat, they don't have to work to earn your vote. Even if it's your party's candidate who's 'safe,' they have little incentive to listen to your concerns and truly represent you, the voter. Fair elections for all!

“Volunteering has been so rewarding; I get to use my strengths to help make a difference. No matter what you're skilled at, there are organizations that need what you've got to offer. Find your niche and get out there for your favorite cause!”

Drum Roll, please.  The winner is: Option A! 

This week, Ohio Senator Frank LaRose (R-Copley) introduced a joint resolution, SJR 3, proposing to amend the Ohio Constitution to change the rules for drawing Congressional districts.

Senator LaRose has been a steadfast advocate for redistricting reform – in fact he introduced one of the proposals last session that languished in the General Assembly – and we greatly appreciate his continued pursuit for reform.

During the legislative process, proposals tend to be rewritten and revised several times. So with that in mind, here are the specific elements the Fair Districts = Fair Elections Coalition believes are essential to include in any meaningful Congressional redistricting reform proposal:

1. The process should be transparent and allow public input on proposed maps before a vote.
2. Bipartisan support must be required for a map to be enacted, with no mono-partisan “out,” and should permit fair representation of voters from both parties.
3. No plan shall favor or disfavor a political party or candidate.
4. Use big building blocks like counties and cities to keep communities together and make districts more compact.

While the Fair Districts = Fair Elections Coalition continues to support efforts to pass reform in the legislature, we will carefully scrutinize any proposal to ensure it includes these essential protections.  However, that said, last session the legislature failed to move on any of the redistricting reform proposals, including LaRose’s.

Until the legislature passes a proposal to put meaningful reform before voters, the Fair Districts = Fair Elections Coalition will continue moving forward with a citizen initiative.

For those who have been asking, yes, there will be petitions coming, but we cannot give you an exact date to expect them. The campaign is moving forward – we have polling underway, we are aggressively fundraising because citizen initiatives are expensive, and we are recruiting and training field volunteers.

The best things people can do to help are to sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities, donate, and spread the word urging others to sign on ---- info on all three can be found at www.fairdistrictsohio.org.