The campaign for redistricting reform in Ohio has hired Sean Soendker Nicholson, an experienced Democratic political consultant who has worked on similar measures in Missouri. Nicholson is directing the Citizens Not Politicians campaign, which aims to create a 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters. This commission would replace the current panel of elected officials responsible for redistricting. The proposal also aims to bar former politicians, political party officials, and lobbyists from sitting on the commission, while requiring fair and impartial districts.
Republicans, who currently control Ohio’s redistricting process, are likely to oppose the amendment, arguing that the proposed commission would not remove politics from the redistricting process. However, the success of similar redistricting reform efforts in Missouri may offer a roadmap for Ohio. In Missouri, a redistricting amendment proposed by citizens groups passed in 2018, but was largely reversed by a related amendment placed on the 2020 ballot by Republican state lawmakers.
Nicholson’s experience working on the Missouri campaigns, as well as his role in the nonprofit Clean Missouri, has provided him with valuable insight into redistricting reform efforts. He highlights that redistricting reform is a popular bipartisan issue across the country. The 2020 Missouri campaign received significant funding, including contributions from national progressive groups that have also supported the Ohio campaign against an August amendment.
Citizens Not Politicians is currently focused on clearing the legal hurdles to qualify the redistricting reform measure for the November 2024 ballot. They must gather approximately 413,000 valid voter signatures from around the state by July. The group plans to develop a comprehensive budget and communication strategy based on polling and analysis of voter understanding and motivations.
Overall, the hiring of Sean Soendker Nicholson and the campaign’s efforts reflect ongoing attempts to address gerrymandering and ensure fair and impartial redistricting processes. With the November 2024 ballot in sight, the Citizens Not Politicians campaign will continue their push for redistricting reform in Ohio.
