May 6, 2005

Ohio Democracy Could Use a Boost – Analysis Finds Fundraising and Gerrymandering Are Key Factors in Determining Election Outcomes

In the November 2004 general elections for the Ohio Legislature, the candidate that raised the most money won 95% of the races, according to an analysis by a nonpartisan watchdog. Winning candidates outraised losing candidates by a ratio of 4.5 to 1 in the House, by a ratio of 6 to 1 in the Senate. This cash-driven democracy will only increase the power and influence of wealthy interests under the new campaign finance law, said TheRestofUs.org.

“Prior to the legislature passing the last year’s sham reforms, regular Ohioans couldn’t compete with the fatcat interests who could afford to bankroll candidates with views they preferred,” said Ned Wigglesworth, an analyst for TheRestofUs.org. “With the limits now upped to $10,000, Ohio citizens can expect their role in selecting their representatives to dwindle even further.”

Compounding the money in politics problems in Ohio, incumbent politicians have drawn up safe congressional and legislative districts to avoid any electoral competition. Further analysis by TheRestofUs.org showed that only five of ninety-nine seats in the Ohio House switched parties in the 2004 elections; none of Ohio’s eighteen Congressional seats did. Stifled competition insulates politicians from any accountability to the voters, said the group.

“Partisan interests have cherry-picked their voters with the districts they drew up,” said Derek Cressman, Director of TheRestofUs.org. “Instead of voters choosing their representatives, these politicians have turned the tables and are choosing their voters.”

The watchdog group is a member of the Reform Ohio Now coalition working to regain the political voice and power of regular Ohioans with three constitutional amendments on campaign finance reform, redistricting, and elections administration. More information can be found at www.therestofus.org/ohio/ohiomain.html.

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Background: TheRestofUs.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to make democracy work for ordinary citizens. TheRestofUs.org is involved in campaign finance ballot measures in Oregon and Ohio and independent redistricting policy in California, Florida, and Ohio. We will soon file an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review and uphold Vermont’s mandatory spending limits. We also support federal efforts to eliminate the 527 loophole for soft money electioneering.