As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 453
2023-2024
Senator Antonio
Cosponsors: Senators Craig, DeMora, Hicks-Hudson, Ingram, Smith, Sykes
A RESOLUTION
To express the Ohio Senate's support for the 1
Citizens Not Politicians—Citizens Redistricting 2
Commission Initiative, which would transfer the 3
power of drawing legislative and congressional 4
maps from politicians and lobbyists to the 5
citizens of Ohio; to address the problems, risks, 6
and political extremism of politician-led 7
gerrymandering that undermines fair 8
representation; and to encourage Ohioans to 9
support the measure for a freer, more democratic 10
state. 11
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
WHEREAS, The drawing of legislative and congressional maps, 12
or the redistricting process, has historically been controlled 13
by politicians and lobbyists, leading to districts that serve 14
political interests rather than the citizens of Ohio; and 15
WHEREAS, Rigged districts distort our democracy, making it 16
more difficult for citizens to hold their elected officials 17
accountable and reducing the overall impact of each citizen's 18
vote; and 19
WHEREAS, The Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative 20
S. R. No. 453 Page 2
As Introduced
proposes a more transparent and fair process by placing the 21
responsibility of redistricting in the hands of an independent 22
commission composed of Ohio citizens, rather than politicians 23
and lobbyists; and 24
WHEREAS, Empowering citizens to be a part of the 25
redistricting process will strengthen Ohio's democracy, enhance 26
the integrity of our elections, and restore trust in our 27
political system; now therefore be it 28
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th 29
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge the citizens of Ohio 30
to vote for Issue 1 and support the Citizens Not Politicians— 31
Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative, thereby ensuring 32
fair representation, preserving the health of our democracy, and 33
empowering all citizens to have a voice in the governance of our 34
state; and be it further 35
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly 36
authenticated copies of this resolution to the Governor and to 37
the news media of Ohio. 38