COLUMBUS, Ohio — Citizens Not Politicians, a group dedicated to putting an end to gerrymandering in Ohio, is trying to change the Ohio Redistricting Commission.
The group is looking to put an amendment on the ballot in November to exclude politicians from the commission and replace them with everyday Ohioans.
Right now, the commission is made up of three statewide officeholders and four state lawmakers.
“We are looking for a truly independent commission that would be made up of everyday Ohioans. Five Republicans, five Democrats and five Independents,” said Jenn Miller, the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio.
Miller believes a politically diverse commission will make the maps more fair.
“We want to see a commission where Republicans, Democrats and Independents have to work together to design those maps,” said Miller.
On Sunday, Arnold Schwarzenegger joined an event to spread awareness about the amendment. Schwarzenegger said he helped create an independent redistricting commission in California and thinks all states should follow.
“They draw it in such a way that there are very conservative districts and very liberal districts with no in-between,” said Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger said politicians draw maps to help themselves stay in office.
“They intentionally draw it to screw you the citizens and so they don’t have to perform because there is no competition. You can’t get rid of them, you can’t change things,” he said.
By having an independent commission, Citizens Not Politicians believe everyone in Ohio will be fairly represented.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, where you live, where you worship. We all deserve fair redistricting where our voices can be heard,” said Jeniece Brock, a supporter of the amendment.
Citizens Not Politicians have until July to submit signatures for the amendment to be on the ballot in November.