CINCINNATI — Voters heading to the polls in Ohio will once again notice an “Issue 1” on their ballots this general election — this time the measure is a redistricting proposal that could drastically change the balance of power within the statehouse.

The goal of Issue 1 is to end gerrymandering, which involves manipulating district lines to favor one political party.

“We have some of the most biased maps in the country, not only at the congressional level, but also at the State House and State Senate,” said Dr. David Niven, professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati.

Niven was asked by the League of Women Voters Ohio to look at the state’s district maps and see if the gerrymandering issue had been resolved by Ohio’s latest redistricting reform.

“My answer based on my review of the districts is definitely no, we have not solved the problem,” Niven said. “We’ve changed some issues, but the fundamentals are still the same.”

Secretary of State of Ohio

The League of Women Voters Ohio is campaigning for Issue 1, saying the current district maps harm all voters.

“What we’re seeing are these strange districts that are making it difficult for Ohio voters to be heard and represented,” said Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters Ohio.

One of those “weird” districts Miller is referring to is the 1st Congressional District here in Cincinnati.

Miller says those who created the map grouped the city of Cincinnati with Warren County, creating a “land bridge” because the two are not connected. But she says the shape isn’t the biggest problem.

“The biggest concern would be the profound differences between the residents of Warren County and Cincinnati,” Miller said.

She added that the two areas have drastic financial differences, home ownership rates and more, often leaving one of the two disappointed by their political leaders.

However, many Republican lawmakers disagree and say the current maps work.

“The three most important things are to make sure that you have one person, one vote, that you have communities together, that you maintain compactness, and that you can only split communities once,” said Republican state Rep. Adam Mathews (District 56 ).

Taylor Mirfendereski | WCPO

Mathews states that if issue one passes, the district maps will be gerrymandered.

“It will further both regional and political polarization, all for the sake of adding two Democratic congressional seats,” Mathews said.

He and others who oppose Issue 1 add that only new Democrats who are elected will benefit, and if they really wanted “unbiased maps,” they would just change who draws them.