Presented by the Levin College Forum in Partnership with the League of Women Voters

Wednesday March 10, 2010
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
Glickman-Miller Hall, Roberta Steinbacher Atrium

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In 2011, Ohio will redraw its state and congressional districts based on the results of the 2010 Census. How this is done will determine the political landscape of the state for the next 10 years or more. There are a number of proposals to change the process. Join us to learn more about these proposals, their potential ramifications and the importance of the 2010 census.

Moderator:

1:00-1:10	Ned Hill, Dean, Levin College of Urban Affairs,	Welcome and introductions
1:10-1:40	Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State	Ohio Redistricting Initiatives
Panel	Janice Patterson, League of Women Voters
1:40-2:00	Mark Salling, Director, Northern Ohio Data and Information Service (NODIS), Levin College, Cleveland State University; Fellow, Center for Community Solutions	The current redistricting process in Ohio:
2:00-2:15	Michael McDonald, George Mason University, Department of Public and International Affairs	The redistricting process in other states
2:15-2:25	Jon Husted, Ohio State Senator (pre-recorded video message)	Legislative proposal
2:25-2:35	State Representative Tom Letson
2:35-2:45	Ann Henkener, redistricting specialist for The League of Women Voters of Ohio	Principles for Fair Elections
2:45-3:00	Questions and Discussion

Midwest Democracy Network

Brennan Center for Justice

United States Election Project

Ohio Redistricting Competition

imPACT Website: Redistricting: Ensuring that our Representatives Represent Our Voters

Senator Husted’s message to forum participants (preview online)
Senator Husted’s message to forum participants (download)

Now is the Time for Redistricting Reform
Guest column by State Senator Jon Husted

Jon Husted 6th District
Sponsor Testimony to the House Committee on Elections and Ethics Senate Joint Resolution 5 - Ohio Redistricting Reform January 12, 2009

OHIO (SJR 5, as passed by the Senate, 2009)
KEY POINTS: The proposed amendment would expand Ohio’s present redistricting commission by two incumbents, and place congressional districts as well as state legislative districts under the commission’s authority. The commission would emphasize preservation of whole political units and, to a lesser extent, competition between the major parties.

Bill Analysis SJR 5
Sens. Husted, Patton, Niehaus, Wagoner, Goodman, Widener, Schuring, Stewart,Schaffer, Seitz, Grendell

OHIO (HJR 15, as introduced, 2010)
KEY POINTS: The proposed amendment would create a public competition to draw state legislative district lines according to a predetermined formula, emphasizing statewide partisan balance, with a lesser role for competition, and a lesser role still for preservation of municipal boundaries and a particular measure of compactness. Though Ohio’s present redistricting commission would still exist, it would essentially become an administrative body, with no discretion to depart from the competition formula.

Forum programs are free and open to the public, but please register.