What's the problem with the way we draw congressional districts now?
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of political districts to rig the outcome of elections to favor one political party over another. Both Democrats and Republicans have engaged in gerrymandering but this type of map-making reduces voter choices and leads to fewer competitive elections and elected officials who are less accountable to their constituents.
How do map-makers create unfair districts?The party that has the majority can pack voters of the minority party into one district so that they reduce the number of minority districts. The majority party can also crack voters of the minority into a number of districts diluting their voting power.
Are Ohio's districts really that much worse than the rest of the country?
Yes, Ohio has some of the worst gerrymandered districts in the country. Read more about Ohio's gerrymandering problem here. And read and download Ohio's Gerrymandering Problem: Why Haven't We Fixed This Yet released by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and Common Cause Ohio released on October 29, 2017.
I’m not a Democrat or Republican. Why should I care?
Gerrymandering gives all voters fewer choices. Districts that lean heavily in one direction or the other mean that the real competition happens in the primary and elected officials are more tied to their political parties than their voters.
Didn't voters already pass redistricting reform?
In November 2015, Ohio voters overwhelming passed Issue 1, which creates redistricting reform for state legislative districts. Voters reformed the way state legislative maps are drawn by imposing strict rules for keeps communities together, prohibiting hyper-partisan gerrymandering and creates more transparency. It's time to create similar rules for the way that we draw Congressional districts. All of Ohio deserves fair districts and fair elections.
Still have more questions? A webinar on Redistricting FAQs is available on Demand. Sign up here to register and view the training at your convenience.
"Ohioans of every political stripe should embrace this opportunity to slay the gerrymander and end rigged elections." April 30, 2017 Columbus Dispatch editorial
"We encourage citizens to support not only the efforts to get the redistricting measure on the ballot but to vote for it once they’re in the voting booth. If we want to start chipping away at the problems of our nation, if we truly wish to, as the saying goes, 'drain the swamp,' fair legislative districts is a fantastic place to start." May 31, 2017 Ashtabula Star Beacon editorial
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By Stephen Nass
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Watch this video by the Washington Post to better understand how gerrymandering works. |
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Check out How Distorted Districts Lead to Distorted Laws from the American Center for Progress
Read the The Twisted History of Gerrymandering in American Politics in the Atlantic
Read the The Twisted History of Gerrymandering in American Politics in the Atlantic