By: Darius Pierce
The perception of societal change is a sensitive topic for many Ohioans, especially when
it feels as if your concerns are being ignored. We can change that. Issue 1, Citizens Not
Politicians, is a proposed constitutional amendment that is widely supported by many
nonpartisan groups and organizations to end gerrymandering in Ohio. It aims to introduce an
independent and bi-partisan organization that draws up the political districts of the state
because our current system has been corruptly drawn up. According to the Ohio Supreme Court
itself, the maps are deemed unconstitutional. However, due to deadlines with elections, the
maps must be used regardless. Michigan and Virginia both passed similar initiatives to combat
gerrymandering. Effectively, the states created more fair elections and more fair districts. This
proposed Ohio Redistricting Commission would be a 15-member board of an equal quantity of
Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. No lobbyists, politicians, or family of politicians
could be on this board, only citizens of Ohio, which, to me, sounds extremely fair. Why would
anyone object to this? I view Citizens Not Politicians as a step towards a freer Ohio.
I, an Appalachian-born teen, fully support Issue 1. It not only allows my voice to be heard
in an equal way but allows my peers’ perspectives to be heard too. This is vital if our new
generations are going to fight issues like climate change and political corruption. Voting yes on
the initiative would pass the amendment into the Ohio State Constitution. Unlike previous laws
that were passed in Ohio, a constitutional amendment is much harder for greedy politicians to
cheat. The deadline to register to vote is October 7th , early voting starts October 8th , and
Election Day is November 5th . I urge you to do your own research on Issue 1 and think of the
Ohio you want for your family and friends.
