Ohio Supreme Court upholds misleading ballot language on anti-gerrymandering measure

The Ohio Supreme Court upheld ballot language for Issue 1, which is intended to combat gerrymandering, but is described as requiring it. In a 4-3 decision, the court ordered revisions to two sections of the ballot description while maintaining the majority of the language approved by the Republican-controlled Ohio Ballot Board. The dissenting justices argued that the language misleads voters about the proposal's intent. Citizens Not Politicians, the group advocating for the amendment, criticized the ballot language as biased and deceptive. They highlighted that the proposal aims to establish a 15-member, citizen-led commission to oversee the redistricting process, following previous unconstitutional gerrymandering practices that favored Republicans. The group expressed concern that the misleading language could confuse voters. The majority opinion stated that the court could only invalidate language if it misleads or deceives voters. The justices found that most of the language accurately described the amendment, except for two sections regarding legal challenges to the commission's plans and public input in the map-making process. The court's ruling reflects ongoing tensions between political parties regarding redistricting. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose praised the ruling, asserting it provides voters with a clear understanding of the proposal. The decision is seen as a significant moment in Ohio's political landscape, as it addresses the contentious issue of gerrymandering and the integrity of the electoral process.