ArcaMax

It is a well-known fact that Ohio is a heavily gerrymandered state, and recent research by the Brennan Center for Justice reveals that approximately 77% of Ohioans, or more than 9 million people, live in Ohio House districts that will have no meaningful competition in legislative races this November.

Ohioans are facing this watered-down version of democracy because our electoral districts are drawn by politicians, who use their power to ensure easy reelection for themselves and their colleagues. Voting rights groups are extremely disappointed that Ohio will use these politician-drawn maps this year even though the Ohio Supreme Court declared them to be illegally gerrymandered. Morale for going to the polls is probably very low among voters in those areas where the election's outcome is a foregone conclusion. However, the Citizens Not Politicians anti-gerrymandering measure offers the chance for change. If voters approve the amendment to the Ohio Constitution, a 15-member, independent redistricting commission will be formed and charged with creating fair voting maps.

Redistricting reform is especially important to Black Ohioans, who have seen their voting power diluted by gerrymandering. Rev. John T. Coats II, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Columbus and Vicinity, is cautiously optimistic that an impartial redistricting process fairer to communities of color can be created.

"Citizen-led is good if it's actually citizen-led," Coats explains. "For the Black community, gerrymandering has had a severe impact. For example, when the (central Ohio) 3rd congressional district was created by the splitting of the 12th and 15th districts back in 2013, it was not a win for us. Before these lines were redrawn, Black people were assured access to congressional benefit regardless of who was in the majority in Congress. We need lines that make sense to ensure unbiased elections."

The diminishment of Black voting power in Ohio comes at a high cost: Black residents have lost political influence regarding issues directly affecting them. While some would maintain that Ohio's three Black U.S. representatives -- Joyce Beatty in the 3rd District in Columbus; Shontel Brown in the Cleveland-area 11th District; and Emilia Sykes in the Akron-area 13th District -- can meet the needs of their African American constituents, this does not negate the fact that gerrymandering has splintered Black communities.

In the 3rd district, many Black voters have been crammed into a single district with others spread out across neighboring districts. Meanwhile, Columbus remains highly segregated residentially, which continues to drive racial inequality. Franklin County is growing and thriving economically, but Black and other communities of color have lacked the political clout to benefit from it.

Pressing policy needs include improving the quality of K-12 education, job training and access to suburban employment opportunities, and adequate housing. Said Coats, "Affordable housing is a crisis. If you are renting, rental costs are sky high. Gentrification in Black neighborhoods has forced rental prices up, and people can't afford to live in the city. Workforce development is very important, and Columbus is growing. High-paying jobs are coming to Intel, and people need adequate training for these jobs and transportation to where they are located. Black people need the opportunity to have more political representation to address these concerns, but gerrymandering prevents it."

As a man of faith, Coats hopes Black churches will take a more active role in the political process for the communities they serve.

"Churches need to be taught how to better engage politically," Coats says. "They need to establish political action committees and lobbying initiatives as they are led by God in working to improve people's lives. Churches must also take more initiative in growing their own resources, such as establishing credit unions and local businesses."

If voters win passage of a new mapmaking system in November, Coats is hopeful that the citizen-led panel would not let political biases sway them.

"We need lines drawn in our interest and not to our demise," he says. "I look forward to seeing if we can implement an alternative process."

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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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