What is Issue One? What you need to know before casting your vote

I VOTED PASADENA, CA - MAY 19: A sheet of voter stickers is seen inside Fire Station 38, as people go to the polls for a special election called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to decide on statewide budget-balancing ballot propositions on May 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. The governor says that a passage of the suite of measures is crucial to repairing the state budget crisis. The initiatives were put forth to voters after a drawn-out battle between politicians to solve the deficit which has resulted in painful cuts to education and services and the loss of thousands of jobs. The deficit is projected to hit $15.4 billion in the fiscal year that begins in July if voters pass the ballot measures. If not, the deficit will balloon to $21.3 billion, according to the governors office. Polls though indicate that Proposition 1F, which prohibits the governor, lawmakers and other state officials from getting pay raises any time the state has a budget deficit, is the only one of the six measures that appears to have enough support to pass. It is the 12th times in seven years that Californians have been faced with complex budget measures. Voter turnout is expected to be low. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (David McNew)

By WHIO Staff

As the start of election season draws near, people are looking at what will be on the ballot this year.

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One of the issues Ohioans will be voting on is who will be making the redistricting decision in our state.

It’ll help determine who you get to vote for to represent you in Columbus and Washington.

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In the Miami Valley, voters can vote early and in person, as well as drop off their Absentee ballot starting Oct. 8.

With Issue 1, voters will be choosing whether Ohio should remove politicians from the redistricting process.

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the Ohio Senate and U.S. House Districts every decade using the latest census data.

Right now, elected politicians in Ohio make up the state’s redistricting commission which draws the maps.

Voting “yes” on Issue 1 would create a 15-member citizens redistricting commission of five independents, five Republicans, and five Democrats.

Elected Politicians, Lobbyists, or political consultants would not be allowed on that commission.

Voting “no” on Issue, 1 would keep the current setup, which is the politician-run commission.

If voters approve Issue 1 and a new citizen commission, they will draw new district maps next year in 2025.

If voters decide to stay with the politician-run commission, our current maps are locked in until 2030.

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