Ohio Changes Apportionment

For John, BLUF:  I would like to see something like this for Massachusets.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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"In a Break From Partisan Rancor, Ohio Moves to Make Elections More Competitive".  At least for the State Legislature.  Some are grousing that it doesn't include US Congressional Districts, but this is a good first step.  The article, by Report Trip Gabriel, was in today's edition of The New York Times.

Here is the situation in a nut shell:

In 37 states, legislatures now draw voting maps.  The 13 others use commissions that are, in theory, less partisan.  In some states, the commissions are independent, and in others, their members are politically appointed.  That has been Ohio’s system since the 1970s.  The Apportionment Board is composed of three elected state officials — the governor, auditor and secretary of state — and one member from each party chosen by the legislature. Republicans have controlled it for three decades.

The new plan would add two members, one from each party.  And if the minority-party members did not approve of the district maps, the changes would last only four years, not the traditional 10.  Partisan control of the board could seesaw in four years after statewide elections, so this would create an incentive to win the minority’s approval.

Good luck, Ohio.

Hat tip to Memeorandum.

Regards  —  Cliff