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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > March > 13 > Entry
Lawmaker wants to change how legislative districts are drawn
State Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, who’s running for governor in 2010, wants to change how Ohio draws its legislative districts.
The goal, according to a press release on Friday, March 13, is to “bring more fairness and balance.”
Coughlin’s proposed constitutional amendment would replace the current five-member Apportionment Board with a seven-member board and require that five of the seven members agree on the redistricting plan. Such a plan appears aimed at promoting bipartisan agreement but wouldn’t guarantee it. The next time districts will be redrawn is after the 2010 census.
“This is a practical solution to the ongoing debate about redistricting in Ohio,” Coughlin said in the press release. “This critical decision should be made by those who were elected by the people as part of a fair and balanced process.”
The current five-member board includes the governor, auditor, secretary of state and a member of the legislature from each party. The party that controls two of the three executive offices controls the board and how the districts are drawn. Historically, districts have been drawn to favor the party controlling the board.
Under Coughlin’s plan, the board would include: the governor, auditor, secretary of state, House Speaker, House Minority Leader, Senate President and Senate Minority Leader. If one party controlled all three executive offices on the board - governor, auditor and secretary of state - that party would have the votes to approve a plan without help from the other party.
If new districts were drawn this year, Democrats would have the upper hand with Gov. Ted Strickland and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. Auditor Mary Taylor is a Republican. However, Brunner has said she plans to run for the U.S. Senate next year and Taylor is considering a U.S. Senate run.
Strickland is expected to run for re-election in 2010 when all statewide executive offices will be on the ballot.
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By Kevin S.
March 14, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
The funny thing is that it’s still possible for one party to totally control the process. They just have to win all three executive positions on the board instead of just two. Presumably, Coughlin figures that neither party will pull that off in the 2010 elections, which are his party’s most immediate concern.By Mike
March 13, 2009 8:23 PM | Link to this
The Republicans are scared to death of 2011 redistricting and are now talking “bi-partisanship”. No way. To the victor goes the line drawing. The GOP did it for several cycles, it’ll now be our turn.