Ohio

Ohio voters to decide on redistricting reform this election – Washington Examiner

Published

3 hours ago

July 29, 2024

Ohio voters to decide on redistricting reform this election – Washington Examiner

Voters in Ohio will soon be given the opportunity to overhaul how the state draws its congressional and legislative maps.

Citizens Not Politicians, the coalition of organizations behind the constitutional amendment, sent Secretary of State Frank LaRose more than 700,000 signatures earlier this month, and LaRose certified 535,000 signatures last week. The existing maps, enacted in 2020, were drawn by a Republican-led commission of elected officials and have been repeatedly found unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.

“This certification is a historic step towards restoring fairness in Ohio’s electoral process,” retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said in a statement.

“With this amendment on the ballot, Ohioans have the chance to reclaim their power from the self-serving politicians who want to stay in power long past their expiration date,” the statement continued.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission is made up of seven spots, two of which always go to Republicans and two always go to Democrats. The three remaining seats include the governor, the secretary of state, and the auditor, who are all presently Republicans.

If approved, the constitutional amendment would overhaul the Ohio Redistricting Commission and create a 15-member citizen commission. Current politicians, registered lobbyists, and large political donors would be prohibited from joining the commission.

Volunteers with Citizens Not Politicians deliver petitions from citizens around the state of Ohio at Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office on July 1, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos)

Republicans in the state now hold around 70% of all legislative seats, but they only received about 56% of the statewide vote in recent election cycles, according to Axios.

“It was such an incredible feeling to know that we made the ballot,” Jen Miller from the League of Women Voters, which is a part of Citizens Not Politicians, said. “This is about the everyday people of Ohio taking power back.”

“When politicians and lobbyists get to rig maps, it harms every Ohio voter and our democracy,” she added.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

This is the only statewide ballot initiative on the Ohio ballot this election. Republican state Senate President Matt Huffman has been a vocal critic of the proposal.

“I think that the people who are making an important decision like this ought to be elected officials who are accountable to the public, not unknown bureaucrats somewhere, someplace,” Huffman told ABC 5 Cleveland.

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Ohio

Could we see Obama-era turnout in Ohio cities in November? Will it matter? The Wake Up for Monday, July 29, 2024

Published

10 hours ago

July 29, 2024

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Ohio

Another Ohio State football commit shuts down notion of flipping

Published

17 hours ago

July 28, 2024

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Another Ohio State football commit shuts down notion of flipping

This weekend was the last recruiting time before a dead period, and Ohio State football didn’t host a gathering like many other schools did.

That opened up the time for some Buckeye 2025 commits to visit other schools, and defensive end commit, Zion Grady, was one of them. The nation’s No. 80 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings took a trip to Auburn on Saturday.

Rivals reporter Bryan Matthews wrote a story claiming that he felt like the Tigers “have a good chance” to flip the 6-foot, 4-inch, 235-pound star.

As Lee Corso famously says, “not so fast my friends,” as Grady quoted the story and claimed that he’s “1000% lock-in.”

If I had to guess the reason for the trip was an accompany one his best friends, 2025 Auburn commit Malik Autry. Ohio State is actively trying to flip the defensive tackle, and Grady is just trying to help those efforts.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

Story originally appeared on Buckeye Wire

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Ohio

Former Ohio State Buckeyes Star Retires From NFL After Cowboys Stint

Published

1 day ago

July 28, 2024

Press Room

Former Ohio State Buckeyes Star Retires From NFL After Cowboys Stint

Former Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley has announced his retirement from the NFL after signing with the Dallas Cowboys last month, via ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Conley arrived at Ohio State in 2013, but redshirted his first season. He then played in 15 games the following year and was part of the Buckeyes’ national championship team. However, his role was very limited, as he logged just 16 tackles.

Then, in 2015, Conley broke out and began establishing himself as an elite presence in Ohio State’s secondary, totaling 49 tackles, a couple of interceptions and five passes defended. He would go on to tally 26 tackles, four picks and eight passes defended in 2016 and was named Second-Team All-Big Ten conference by the coaches.

Conley had the chance to return for his senior campaign, but opted to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, where he was regarded as the second-best cornerback behind his Buckeyes teammate, Marshon Lattimore.

The Massillon, Oh. native ended up getting selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 24th overall pick of the draft.

Conley never really lived up to expectations on the professional level, and injuries played a major role.

He missed all but two games during his rookie campaign due to a shin injury. The following year, Conley showed some promise, playing in 15 games and registering 37 tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defended and a defensive touchdown.

Conley then had a scary moment in the 2019 season opener, when he had to be carted off the field on a stretcher due to a neck injury. Thankfully, he was alright and would ultimately appear in 14 contests that year, although he was traded to the Houston Texans midseason.

The 29-year-old would never play in another NFL game after 2019.

After being placed on injured reserve by the Texans in September 2020, Conley went three years without garnering any NFL attention. He played with the DC Defenders in 2023, and after being released from his contract, he signed with the Cowboys this past June.

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