To the Editor:
No matter our income, race or gender, Ohioans want fair elections. Just last Tuesday, we had a primary election where state senators and representatives for both parties were chosen. However, because the Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission failed to do their job properly earlier this year, last Tuesday’s primary caused confusion and wasted over $20 million of taxpayer money.
The bipartisan Ohio Supreme Court has now ruled FIVE times that the district maps drawn by the Republican-majority Commission are unconstitutional. Still, we citizens needed the opportunity to elect candidates for the November election. And so it was decided that two primaries would be held this year – including the second one last Tuesday. Had the Republicans on the commission done their job properly to begin with, we would have had just one primary – the one in May. This would have meant less confusion, plus a savings of over $20 million.
Since the maps we have for the 2022 election are still unconstitutional, a Redistricting Commission will be formed again to draw new maps before the 2024 election. But this next time we can make sure we actually get fair maps. Members of the Redistricting Commission include the governor, the secretary of state, and the state auditor. And the good news is that all of those positions are up for election this November.
To ensure we get fair districts for 2024, vote for Nan Whaley as governor, Chelsea Clark as secretary of state and Taylor Sappington as state auditor in November. The incumbents in those jobs failed egregiously and should be booted out of office by us, the voters. Think of what that extra $20 million in the state coffers might provide for us regular folks. And think also how wonderful it will feel next primary season when going to the polls, knowing the representatives we are selecting are apportioned according to fair maps that comply with the rule of law.
Janet Byrne Smith
Gambier
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