Court rules that Ohio citizens can try to repeal redistricting maps

Late last week Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted rejected the signatures needed to begin the challenge to the state’s new district lines, which were passed by the state legislature in September. Husted’s reasoning was that the bill contained an appropriation, and that appropriations bills are not subject to being placed on the ballot for referendum.

However, the groups who collected the initial round of signatures say that they expected such a decision, and appealed to the state Supreme Court. The Court ruled unanimously, 7-0, that the state’s congressional maps can be subject to a referendum because the appropriation had been attached late in the process and for the sole reason of preventing the law from being repealed via signature gathering. Groups that had pushed for the referendum now have the green light to collect the full amount of signatures needed to place the law on the ballot.

If enough signatures are gathered, the redistricting maps could join other laws that will already be up for referendum, including an election reform bill and another relating to state employee collective bargaining.

Columbus Dispatch: Redistricting petition tossed

Columbus Dispatch: Supreme Court: Redistricting maps can be put to public vote

Ballot Access News: Ohio faces another referendum on election reform law

Ohio Supreme Court decision (PDF)

Keep up with redistricting news with Network partners Draw the Line Ohio

test