The Shape Of Things: Ohio’s 4th District.
Here’s the first post in our new series that dives deep on some of the most gerrymandered districts nationwide—and how we’re going to fix them.
The district:
Ohio’s 4th Congressional District.
How is it gerrymandered?
“Ohio’s duck” is one of the longest, most convoluted districts in the state. It stretches into Lorain, Huron, and Erie through another 11 counties to get near the Indiana border. And it goes just far enough north to include Oberlin, likely the most liberal community in Ohio.
That’s no accident: State Republicans in control of the 2011 redistricting process did it on purpose, ensuring Oberlin’s likely Democratic voters would be buried in an otherwise-conservative district. OH-4 is specifically designed to slice up communities, diminish Democratic voters, and ensure GOP dominance.
So who represents OH-4?
Rep. Jim Jordan, Tea Party leader and one of the most conservative members of Congress. He votes with President Trump 85% of the time and doesn’t have to answer for extreme positions, given that he’s protected by a gerrymandered district.
Here’s just a sampling of his actions in Congress:
- Defending the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census
- Warning pharmaceutical companies about oversight investigations
- Supporting Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris accords that enlist nearly every country to combat climate change
- Voting against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act
It’s almost as if he’s running to the extreme on purpose to fend off a primary challenge in his district.
What can we do?
Here’s the good news: Ohio, like every state nationwide, will draw new districts in 2021 — after the critical 2020 Census. We need to make sure that: 1) We have a fair and accurate 2020 Census, and 2) Ohio and other states engage their communities to ensure a fair, transparent process to draw impartial districts.
All On The Line is leading the way on both fronts. We’re going to support citizens whose voices aren’t being adequately represented by Jim Jordan and other extreme reps like him. We hope you’ll join the team: https://allontheline.org/.
Thanks,
Team All On The Line
