In a surprising turn of events, some Black former lawmakers in Ohio have come out in opposition to Issue 1, breaking with the majority of their fellow Democrats. Issue 1 is a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to change the redistricting process in Ohio by establishing a 12-member bipartisan commission to draw legislative districts.
The former lawmakers, including former State Sen. Ray Miller and former State Rep. Vernon Sykes, argue that Issue 1 does not go far enough in addressing the issue of gerrymandering and would not effectively combat racial gerrymandering. They believe that the proposed commission would still be susceptible to political influence and would not adequately represent communities of color.
Their opposition to Issue 1 puts them at odds with most Ohio Democrats, who have largely thrown their support behind the amendment as a means of promoting fairer elections and reducing partisan gerrymandering. However, the former lawmakers emphasize the importance of addressing racial gerrymandering and ensuring that all communities have equal representation in the redistricting process.
Despite the division within the Democratic party on this issue, all parties involved share the common goal of creating a more fair and equitable redistricting process in Ohio. As the debate over Issue 1 continues, it will be important for lawmakers and activists to consider the perspectives of Black former lawmakers and other marginalized communities to ensure that any proposed changes truly address the underlying issues of gerrymandering and promote greater representation for all Ohioans.
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