CIVIL RIGHTS

Ohioans have spoken clearly at the ballot box on redistricting, reproductive rights, and personal freedom. They have been ignored every time. The legislature drew maps the courts struck down seven times, then used them anyway. Voters enshrined reproductive rights in the constitution, and Columbus immediately went to work trying to narrow them. When the people lead, their government should follow. In District 78, that starts with a representative who believes your rights are not up for negotiation.

Voters protected reproductive rights. Columbus is trying to take them back.

In November 2023, Ohio voters enshrined reproductive rights in the state constitution by passing Issue 1 with nearly 57% of the vote, including significant support in rural and small-city counties. Despite this clear mandate, the legislature has pursued bills to restrict abortion access through regulatory burdens, limit standing to challenge abortion laws, and allow healthcare providers to refuse care based on personal beliefs. For voters in Allen County, this is a straightforward question of democracy: when the people speak, their representatives should listen.

  • Issue 1 passed 56.6% to 43.4%, making Ohio the latest state where voters directly protected abortion access after the Dobbs decision. Ohio Capital Journal, Nov 2023
  • Multiple legislative efforts followed to narrow the amendment, including SB 104 (conscience clause bill) and proposals to restrict minors' access to reproductive care without parental consent. Ohio Capital Journal, 2024
  • The Attorney General and legislative leadership pursued legal strategies to define the amendment as narrowly as possible, drawing criticism that the legislature was defying the will of voters. Columbus Dispatch, 2024

Ohio voters fixed gerrymandering twice. The legislature ignored them both times.

Ohio's redistricting saga is one of the most egregious in the country. Voters approved anti-gerrymandering reforms in 2015 and 2018 by overwhelming margins, over 70% approval each time. The Ohio Redistricting Commission, controlled by Republican officeholders, repeatedly drew maps the Ohio Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional gerrymanders. They submitted seven sets of maps. The court rejected all seven. The maps were used anyway. In 2024, voters passed the Citizens Not Politicians amendment to create an independent redistricting commission, because the legislature proved it would not police itself.

  • The Ohio Supreme Court rejected Republican-drawn legislative maps seven times for violating the anti-gerrymandering provisions voters approved. Ohio Capital Journal, 2022-2024
  • Ohio was frequently cited alongside North Carolina and Wisconsin as a worst-case example of partisan gerrymandering. Brennan Center for Justice
  • The Citizens Not Politicians amendment (Issue 1, 2024) passed with approximately 54% of the vote, creating an independent citizens redistricting commission. Cleveland.com, Nov 2024

The government told Ohio parents they cannot make medical decisions for their own children

In January 2024, the Ohio legislature overrode Governor DeWine's veto of HB 68, a bill banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors and barring trans girls from school sports. DeWine had vetoed the bill citing parental rights and the advice of medical professionals. The supermajority override sent a clear message that ideology trumped both medical science and the conservative principle of family autonomy. For families in District 78, this is the government telling parents they cannot make medical decisions for their own children, and telling kids they do not belong.

  • The Ohio House and Senate overrode DeWine's veto of HB 68, making Ohio one of over 20 states to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Ohio Capital Journal, Jan 2024
  • DeWine's veto message cited testimony from parents of trans youth and the positions of major medical associations. The legislature moved to override within weeks. Columbus Dispatch, Jan 2024

They are banning books and silencing teachers instead of funding classrooms

Ohio has been at the center of the national book-banning movement. Proposed legislation like HB 8, the "Parents' Bill of Rights," included provisions that could restrict what books are available in school libraries and what teachers can discuss in classrooms. Meanwhile, organized pressure campaigns have targeted public library boards across Ohio, submitting lists of books for removal, predominantly titles by or about LGBTQ+ people and people of color. Ohio saw some of the highest numbers of book challenges in the country. The legislature is spending its energy policing what children can read instead of making sure their schools have the funding to teach them.

  • HB 8 and related education bills included provisions requiring parental opt-in for certain materials, effectively enabling small groups to remove books from libraries for all students. Ohio Capital Journal, 2023-2024
  • Ohio saw some of the highest numbers of book challenges in ALA national data, with organized campaigns targeting library boards across the state. Columbus Dispatch, 2023

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