We all benefit from no gerrymandering
Letter to the Editor,
Thank you for explaining Issue 1 so clearly in your Oct. 5 edition. I’m disappointed the Republican Party opposes Issue 1 and seems to be misleading people about the issue.
I think both parties and, more importantly, all voters benefit from ending (or at least reducing) gerrymandering. Issue 1 takes the election district map-making process out of the hands of politicians and puts it in the hands of a neutral commission not made up of politicians. If Issue 1 passes, it will prevent a dominant party that is losing popular support from drawing and redrawing election districts to ensure it stays in power. Thus, Issue 1 will prevent a minority from maintaining power over a majority.
The Republican party has no foresight if it thinks it will always hold sway in Ohio politics. Therefore, Issue 1 could protect Republicans in the future. Or, the Republican party is dishonest and wants to maintain its current grip on Ohio politics through deceiving Ohio voters by inaccurately portraying Issue 1. Depressingly, state-level Republican politicians specifically wrote the ballot language to be confusing (at best) or intentionally inaccurate (at worst).
I’m conservative. I value foresight and honesty, so the Republican party’s opposition to Issue 1 and inaccurate explanation of Issue 1 disappoint me. Thank you to The Bargain Hunter for accurately explaining Issue 1, so Ohioans can make informed decisions.
Vince Kaster
Millersburg