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Statement to Ohio State Reapportionment Board

Catherine Turcer, Campaign Finance Reform Director Ohio Citizen Action Aug 24, 2001 Columbus, Ohio Hello, my name is Catherine Turcer and I am the Campaign Finance Reform Director for Ohio Citizen Action. Thank you Secretary Blackwell and thanks to all of you who made this forum possible. Public input into such a complicated and somewhat mysterious process is appreciated. I would like to let you know that I hate maps. Can’t read them; can’t stand them. I am lucky I found my way to this hearing. However, like everyone in this room I care about the democratic process. I strongly urge you to implement reapportionment that focuses on keeping communities whole. Citizens need to know who their elected officials are and be able to determine this relatively easily. Squiggly, meandering borders are confusing. They are also inherently unfair. Communities should choose their representatives. Their representatives shouldn’t choose them. Primary consideration should be given to keeping communities whole and compact, rather than political maneuvering. If the Reapportionment Board redistricts in a way that, as much as possible, keeps communities together, then the maps will be both fair and easily understandable. Even for people like me. I look forward to the public hearings after you release your map.