League of Women Voters testimony, H.J.R. 13
Ohio redistricting
Anne Smead,
League of Women Voters of Ohio
January 12, 2000
House Technology and Elections Committee
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, I would like to offer
proponent testimony today. First, I would like to applaud the efforts by
the members of this committee in taking the issue of redistricting under
consideration, and I would like to extend our appreciation to the
Republican leadership for lending their support to this proposal.
For more than thirty years the League of Women Voters of Ohio has actively
worked to change the redistricting system in Ohio, and our national
organization, the League of Women Voters of the United States, has actively
promoted equitable districting processes across the United States since
1966. Most recently, in Ohio, the League has been working -- and continues
to work with the help of our 14 coalition partner organizations -- to build
support for a proposal very similar to the resolution presented today by
Representatives Amstutz and Sykes. The resolution will become effective in
2011, but the League's proposal has an effective date of 2001.
LWVO believes that the system outlined in this resolution is an important
step in improving the democratic process in our state. By removing
discretion from the redistricting process we will return to a government
that is truly run for the people and by the people. Instead of politicians
being allowed to select their voters, citizens will choose their
representatives. Our organization was founded on the principles that
voting is a fundamental right of all citizens and that a key element of
that right is encouraging participation in the political process. Passage
of this resolution embodies our principles to their fullest extent.
While the plan will implement a nonpartisan, mathematical way to draw the
legislative and congressional district lines, its impact will be even
greater. By taking politics out of the redistricting process, citizens
will have a way to participate in creating the district plans -- one of the
most important decisions made by the government. Citizens are discouraged
and may not vote when they think that their right to vote for the candidate
of their choice has been compromised by the drawing of districts to favor a
particular political party. Furthermore, it may save millions of taxpayer
dollars wasted by costly lawsuits over partisan redistricting plans.
Again, I applaud your efforts on this good government issue and thank you
for your attention this morning. I would be happy to answer any questions.
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