Vote ‘yes’ on state Issue 1

There was a time in the not so distant past when the words “bipartisan” and “consensus” were the foundation of politics on the local, state and federal levels. But then, extremism, pettiness and plain old political expediency took over. The result: a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans.

So, when an issue comes along that breaks the mold, we, like others who have long advocated an end to the partisanship, have reason to celebrate – and to hope.

Indeed, Ohio voters can join in by voting “yes” on state Issue 1 that will be on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot. The constitutional amendment would totally change the way Ohio’s legislative districts are drawn every 10 years in the wake of the national population census.

Issue 1 would expand membership of the redistricting commission to increase minority-party representation in the process. Currently, a five-member panel dominated by the party in control of state government draws the boundaries. Thus, after the 2010 census, Republicans drew the legislative district lines to give the GOP strong majorities in the Legislature.

The finer points of state Issue 1 can be found in a special section on all three state issues on the ballot that was inserted in Thursday’s Vindicator and in a story today on Page A3. Suffice it to say that there is strong bipartisan support for it as a first step in reshaping politics in Ohio.

We urge a “yes” vote on state Issue 1.