Tag: gerrymanding

Update on Redistricting

May 24, 2017

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Time flies.  Wasn’t it just yesterday we met at the Tremont Library to hear Professor Richard Gunther’s talk on the redistricting reform ballot initiative?  After a false start, the Attorney General has now certified the petition, and the petition is in the hands of the Ohio Ballot Board.

What does that mean for us? It’s time for training! We have about 50 people who have expressed an interest in collecting signatures. We think there are probably more of you out there. Please email us if you are not in our Facebook group and want to sign up for training.  We will have training Wednesday, May 31 at 7 pm at the Lane Road Library, and Friday morning in Meeting Room B at the Tremont UAPL branch at 10:15 and 11:45.

Think about what type of time commitment you are willing to make.  Can you get out to the library every day? once a week? only on the weekends? only for special events?  Are you willing to travel to other counties? Even if you can only commit to gathering signatures from your friends and neighbors, it’s important to remember that without fair districts, we don’t have fair elections. Point made?

Check out our redistricting page, where we will post information about upcoming volunteer opportunities. If you have a suggestion for something to put on this page, let us know!

Don’t forget to save the date for our next meeting on June 13 at 7 pm in the Friends Theater at the Tremont branch of the Upper Arlington Library.

Recap: Redistricting Reform in Ohio

April 12, 2017

The focus of our second Organizing4UA meeting was redistricting reform in Ohio.  Our guest speaker was Professor Richard Gunther, one of Ohio’s leading experts on the effort to bring fair Congressional districting to Ohio.

Professor Gunther outlined how gerrymandering results in fewer competitive elections, which in turn gives voters fewer choices, undermines accountability of elected officials, and contributes to increased polarization.

As we’ve said many times, Organizing4UA is an action-oriented group. Here are a number of action steps you can take right now:

  1. Donate to League of Women Voters Ohio. LWV Ohio is a founding member of the Fair Districts = Fair Elections Coalition. Click donate, and in the memo, indicate that  your contribution is for “Fair Districts.”
  2. Sign up for email updates from the Fair Districts = Fair Elections coalition
    or get mobile updates by texting DISTRICT to 864237.
  3. Watch for emails from Organizing4UA about volunteering! We will be sending out more detailed information about how you can help gather signatures to get the congressional redistricting reform proposal on the ballot. Stay tuned!

Thanks to Professor Gunther and to all who attended tonight’s meeting.