Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Redistricting Proposal

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Contact: TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney

Executive Director, OLBC

(614) 746-1363 cell

(614) 341-6912 office

sheppard@olbc1967.org

Tuesday, October 05, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Redistricting Proposal

OLBC Believes Ballot Issue 4 Will Help to Take the Partisan Politics Out of Drawing Legislative Lines but is Concerned about Campaign Strategy

Columbus - The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) endorses Reform Ohio Now's (RON) proposal to create a fairer and more inclusive process for drawing legislative districts in Ohio. However, OLBC is seriously concerned about the direction the campaign is taking to educate the public, especially the minority community, about their proposals.

"OLBC agrees with the intent of RON's proposal to take partisan politics out of drawing legislative lines" said Representative Barbara Sykes (D-Akron) and OLBC President. "We feel confident that the proposed Redistricting Commission will be selected and conducted in a non-partisan manner, and that any redistricting plan selected by the commission will adhere to all mandatory basic requirements and will conform to the Voting Rights Act of 1965."

"Although we support RON's efforts, we are very disappointed with the campaign's direction” said Representative Sykes. "Our impression after discussions with campaign leaders is that they think they have everything under control when recent polling on Ballot Issue 4 clearly demonstrates they do not. It appears to be the same old campaign strategists up to the same old ineffective strategies."

Ballot Issue 4 is too important to be defeated because it will establish an independent commission to conduct an open process that allows citizens to submit plans for legislative districts. This new process would provide greater competition among candidates. Today's system allows the majority party to draw legislative districts in a manner that guarantees election results by packing as many voters from one political party into a given district. This process decreases the number of competitive districts across the state and prevents input from citizens. Voters will have the opportunity to decide on Ballot Issue 4 during the November 8, 2005 General Election. If adopted, the proposal would take effect for the 2008 general elections.

"This is a significant issue for the African American community because of the unique history that we share of slavery and racial discrimination in this county and state. Too many of our ancestors have fought and died to gain the right to vote and to have adequate representation in our government" said Representative Sykes. "OLBC believes that the intent of Ballot Issue 4 is to create positive and progressive change for the State of Ohio. We encourage all voters to support Ballot Issue 4 however, we would be remiss if we did not express our concerns about the direction of RON's campaign.”

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