In less than two weeks, Ohio voters will decide on a radical ballot measure that inherently contradicts America's founding principles and further erodes the Buckeye State's republican form of government.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, voters will decide whether to pass the measure, officially titled “Issue 1.” If passed, this constitutional amendment would create a technocratic “Citizens Redistricting Commission” made up of unelected technocrats who are not accountable to Congress or voters, and it would create a technocratic “Citizens Redistricting Commission” that would serve as the seat of the Ohio General Assembly and state legislature. electoral districts will be redrawn every 10 years.
Supporters say the measure would prevent gerrymandering. But in reality, this is a direct attack on the traditional republican form of government established by the Founding Fathers.
Unaccountable fees
The Founding Fathers established America as a constitutional republic run under the rule of law, not a democracy run based on the ever-changing whims of the people. Nor has it established a technocracy run by unelected “experts” who govern through central planning. Additionally, they established a system of self-government with elected representatives (i.e., parliamentarians). Technical institutions that are not accountable to the people and operate independently of their elected representatives violate these important principles.
Commission redistricting does not necessarily result in more equitable representation. For example, in the 2010 redistricting, California Democrats used the state's independent redistricting commission to create maps that overrepresented Democrats. The same was true after 2020.
Not only is the proposed redistricting commission contrary to the American form of government, but so is the method Ohio is using to implement it. A statewide referendum is inherently inconsistent with a republican form of government. In addition to being a major step toward democracy and a departure from the republican form of government, it facilitates the adoption of radical and ill-conceived policies that greatly expand the size and scope of government.
Moreover, they typically empower left-wing interests rather than ordinary citizens. An analysis of recent referendums reveals that left-wing groups and donors have used them to enact radical policies such as legalizing abortion, ranked-choice voting, and expanding Medicaid.
Readers can find more information on the issue of independent redistricting commissions and direct democracy in the article “Restoring State Government” published in the October 14 issue of New American Magazine.
Ohio voters would be wise to vote “no” on Issue 1 to prevent further destruction of the Buckeye State's republican form of government.
