Redistricting prevents Dem majority in Ohio House

[Algorem]

Ohio Dems win the most total votes for House
But apportionment policies let GOP retain majority, experts say

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061111/NEWS09/611110368/-1/NEWS

By STEVE EDER
BLADE STAFF WRITER


Ohio Democrats struck another victory over Republicans on Tuesday.

Democratic candidates for the 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives as a group received about 125,000 more votes than the slate of candidates representing the GOP.

But, in reality, that victory holds little significance because Democrats continue to be the minority party in the Statehouse. Republicans hold 53 seats in the 99-member lawmaking body, despite Democrats picking up seven seats in Tuesday's election.

The GOP's ability to keep control of the Ohio House this year was a testament to their ability to construct districts all but guaranteeing a Republican majority. The last time districts could be redrawn, Republicans controlled the state's apportionment board...

[iamjoy]

1. Case For NonPartisan Redistricting

if I ever heard one.

We tried to get it on the ballot in Florida. We had over 900,000 citizen signatures. Then, the slimy (mostly Republican) legislature fought it and got the FL Supreme Court to agree because of a harsh interpretation of the "single issue" clause.

:grr:

[cyclezealot]

2. define non partisan redistricting.

who does it. How is it implemented. I think Iowa has the best re-districting record. Elections need represent the will of the voters. It need be reflected in our constitution. Even if we loose, it's better to have elections mean something.

[iamjoy]

4. One Way...

Is to disallow anyone who has served in Congress or the State Legislature withing the past, say, four years, from serving on the commission. Furthermore, anyone who served on the commission could not run for office within the next four years.

Four is just an example, if you wanted to be really strict you could say before the last redistricting and until the next one.

Members of the commission can not serve in an advisory capacity (paid or unpaid) for any candidate, candidate's committee, political party or electioneering group (ie: a 527). Members cannot sponsor fundraisers for Congressional/Legislative candidates.

Of course, it isn't truly non-partisan, maybe bi-partisan or multi-partisan would be a better term. If you go bi-partisan, it would have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. Multi-partisan makes it a little stickier, but still possible.

These are just ideas, maybe too restrictive, maybe not restrictive enough.

[cyclezealot]

5. The Iowa electoral commission.

It is a criminal violation to bring in election returns in their deliberations. As I understand the Iowa commission, it is mostly acadademics and statisticans. Supposedly non partisan. The way Gov Arni of Calif proposed his electoral commission. He selected the judges. Right. There is no such thing as a non partisan judge, witness Gore vs Bush and the Supreme court. Look to Iowa, I suggest.
I have been doing some guggling of election returns. I love to play about with calculators and numbers.
So looking about the US. using my methods. Combine total congressional votes for US House in the state mentioned below.
Percent vote for all congressional Dem/ Repug candidates. Calculate percentage of vote for all districts. Break down percentages. award how the state's congressional delegation would look if we could incorporate proportional representation.
US House. / popular vote. / % Dem. representation as elected Tuesday. /Dem. underrepresentation.

Ohio. 52% / 39% (- 3 seats
Mich. 54 / 40 (-3 seats
KY. 48 / 33 (- 1 seats
Fla 48 /36 (- 3 seats
PA 55 / 55 ( ok
this stuff takes awhile working on Calif and TExas.

[cyclezealot]

6. all the above is the result of gerrymandering.

[depakid]

3. Ohio

That place is never going to change. I fell VERY sorry for people who live there- 'cause there's no future at all in that state.