To the editor:

By law in Ohio, no one can try and influence your vote at the polling place. Ohio Revised Code 3501.35 specifically says that, “During an election and the counting of the ballots, no person shall….Solicit or in any manner attempt to influence any elector in casting the elector’s vote”

But this year, the State government is breaking that law right inside the voting booth. The ballot language for State Issue One approved by the Ohio Ballot Board and the Secretary of State is written in such a way such that most any reasonable person reading it would be inclined to vote against it. State Issue One is a measure proposed by the group “Citizens not Politicians” and is aimed at creating fair legislative districts.

It is a proposed Constitutional Amendment to establish a 15-person Redistricting Commission made up of Democratic, Republican, and Independent citizens who are not current or former politicians, political party officials or lobbyists. However, the title language Ohio voters will see on their ballots is this: “To create an appointed redistricting commission not elected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state.” “Appointed” and especially “not elected or subject to removal” certainly do make State Issue One sound like something most people would not want to vote for.

The ballot language goes on to say that State Issue One would do such things as no longer require districts to be compact and that “Counties, townships and cities throughout Ohio can be split and divided across multiple districts.” Ohio’s legislative districts are already drawn and quartered as is evident by looking at the maps readily available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/ohio-candidates/district-maps/

For example, Ohio’s 59th House District winds from western Columbiana County into Downtown Youngstown creating a shape resembling a bodybuilder flexing his biceps. Ohio’s 27th and 28th Senate Districts create a shape through the middle of Akron that looks like a barking dog. The only plausible reason for the configurations of these districts and others is politics and gerrymandering.

These districts created solely for political party gain are a disservice to Ohio voters. Constituents deserve to have elected officials who are reasonably close in proximity to them –not three hours away in some cases. Ohioans deserve elected officials who represent their interests and that is next to impossible with districts that encompass both inner city and rural areas and areas of extreme differences in terms of affluence, available jobs, and transportation. Ohioans deserve elected officials who know their area well. Conversely, elected officials deserve to represent constituents with reasonably similar concerns and needs.

“Ohio law requires ballot titles to be a “true and impartial statement of the measures in such language that the ballot title shall not be likely to create prejudice for or against the measure…The language that goes before voters is also regulated by Ohio law, with the constitution stating the full text of the amendment is not required, but the language used can not “mislead, deceive or defraud the voters.” https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/08/20/anti-gerrymandering-amendment-supporters-sue-ohio-ballot-board-over-ballot-language/

The State of Ohio in this case has clearly created prejudice against State Issue One and is misleading voters in order to keep the status quo. Against the law and at the expense of all Ohioans.

Sheri Liebschner,

East Liverpool