COLUMBUS – Now that official language has been drafted and the issues placed on the Nov. 3 ballot, two influential groups will discuss where they stand on proposed amendments to the Ohio constitution.
READ MORE: Ballot issue language approved
The powerful Ohio Chamber of Commerce is preparing to discuss its stands on all three statewide ballot issues facing voters and has scheduled a news conference Wednesday.
The event will follow a meeting of the chamber’s board where final determinations will be made on whether to endorse or oppose a marijuana legalization amendment and a measure that would ban monopolies from the state Constitution.
The chamber already has decided to endorse Issue 1, which would overhaul the way Ohio draws state legislative districts.
The chamber will use its clout as Ohio’s oldest and largest business group to educate members on its issue positions. Member businesses will be provided educational materials that they can then share with their employees.
An Ohio Democratic Party internal panel meets privately Wednesday to decide whether the party should endorse the legislative map-making changes.
Any recommendation by the screening committee 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.