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Democratic Panel To Meet On Ohio Redistricting Endorsement
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – An internal panel charged with recommending whether the Ohio Democratic Party should endorse the legislative map-making changes going before fall voters is convening again.
The party’s screening committee meets privately Wednesday. Any recommendation heads next to the party’s Executive Committee, which has the final say on whether Democrats urge support for Issue 1.
Democratic and Republican support for the redistricting issue initially seemed guaranteed. State lawmakers struck an historic bipartisan deal last year that finally sent an agreeable compromise to voters. It replaces a map-drawing system criticized for fostering gerrymandering.
The Ohio Republican Party is among its host of supporters.
But some Democrats are worried the changes would disadvantage their party long-term. Chairman David Pepper says the party wants assurances the system is as fair as backers say.