Ohio attorney general rejects language for political mapmaking reform amendment for a second time

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office again rejected petition language Thursday for a constitutional amendment aimed at remaking the state’s troubled system for drawing political maps, frustrating the effort’s backers.

In his rejection letter, Republican Dave Yost said Citizens Not Politicians’ second submission had one “critical omission”: How party affiliation would be determined under the new system.

He said because a key feature of the new citizen-led redistricting commission would be political balance, “how political affiliation is determined, who makes those determinations and what rules apply are critical issues that must be included in a summary of the proposed amendment if it is to be fair and truthful.”

The group, which includes two former Ohio Supreme Court justices, aims to place the proposal on next year’s fall ballot. A spokesman said they will collect more signatures and keep trying.

“We are disappointed and frustrated that the Attorney General has chosen to reject our petition summary for a second time,” a statement said. “We adjusted our summary language as the Attorney General requested on the first submission, and we know our summary language was accurate.”

The back-and-forth is taking place as Ohio’s existing redistricting process has been stymied by political infighting.

Late Thursday,

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