PREBLE COUNTY — When they go to the polls next Tuesday, May 8, voters in Preble County will see one state issue on their ballot, and several candidates seeking nomination to run in November.

Proponents of Ohio Issue 1 say the measure regarding redistricting will create “a fair, bipartisan, and transparent process when drawing congressional districts that will make politicians more accountable to the voters.”

Information provided by the Ohio Secretary of State’s office reports Issue 1 is “supported by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators as well as nonpartisan advocates.”

The argument for Issue 1 notes: “Currently, it is too easy for one political party to gerrymander safe seats in Congress by dividing local communities and drawing a map without bipartisan support. Voting yes on Issue 1 will limit gerrymandering by requiring that congressional districts be drawn with bipartisan approval or utilizing strict anti‐gerrymandering criteria. It will also keep communities together by limiting splits of counties, townships and cities and promote geographically compact districts.”

It also notes, “Yes on Issue 1 will establish fair standards for drawing congressional districts through its requirement of bipartisan approval, or use of strict anti‐gerrymandering criteria. Voting yes on Issue 1 will help keep our communities together by limiting the number of splits of counties, cities, and townships.

“Yes on Issue 1 will require significant bipartisan support to adopt new congressional districts for 10 years,” the argument continues. “Issue 1 will require multiple public meetings before adopting a proposed plan for congressional districts. Voting yes on Issue 1 will guarantee public participation by allowing members of the public to submit a plan for congressional districts.”

Supporters also say Issue 1 will “preserve citizens’ right to referendum and the veto power of the Governor when the General Assembly passes a plan for congressional districts.”

Argument against State Issue 1: “The current process for drawing new congressional districts is adequate and has served Ohio well for many years. Although the current system allows for one-party control, the voters can hold their state legislators responsible and vote against them if they believe those legislators are too partisan.

“Even when this process is controlled by a single party, it is still representative of the people’s will since any map is passed by statewide officials, who were themselves elected by popular vote. Historically, one party’s control doesn’t last forever. The current process can be trusted to maintain fair district lines; a ‘no’ vote maintains the status quo.”

The May 8 Primary Election ballot will also determine future races for Ohio governor and more.

On the Democratic ballot, voters will see:

For Governor and Lieutenant Governor — Richard Cordray and Betty Sutton; Larry E. Ealy and Jeffrey Lynn; Dennis Kucinich and Tara Samples; Bill O’Neill and Chantelle C. Lewis; Paul E. Ray and Jerry M. Schroeder and Joe Schiavoni and Stephanie Dodd.

For Attorney General — Steve Dettelbach

For Auditor of State — Zack Space

For Secretary of State — Kathleen Clyde

For Treasurer of State — Rob Richardson

For U.S. Senator — Sherrod Brown

For Representative to Congress, 8th District — Bill Ebben, Vanessa Enoch, Matthew J. Guyette and Ted Jones.

For Justice of the Supreme Court (term commencing Jan. 1, 2019) — Michael P. Donnelly

For Justice of the Supreme Court (term commencing Jan. 2, 2019) — Melody Stewart

For State Central Committee, Man, (5th District) — Karl Keith

For State Central Committee, Woman, (5th District) — Nan Whaley

For State Senator (5th District) — Paul Bradley

For State Representative (43rd District) — Dan Foley

For Member of County Central Committee — Ronald W. McGuire

No Democratic candidates filed petitions for 12th District Court of Appeals, Judge of Preble County Common Pleas Court, Preble County Comissioner, or Preble County Auditor.

The Green Primary Ballot includes:

For Governor and Lieutenant Governor — Constance Gadell-Newton and Brett R. Joseph

For Member of State Central Committee, Man (3rd District) — Timothy Michael Bruce

The Republican Primary Ballot includes:

For Governor and Lieutenant Governor — Mike DeWine and John Husted; Mary Taylor and Nathan D. Estruth

For Attorney General — Dave Yost

For Auditor of State — Keith Faber

For Secretary of State — Frank LaRose

For Treasurer of State — Sandra O’Brien; Robert Sprague

For U.S. Senator — Melissa Ackison; Don Elijah Eckhart; Mike Gibbons; Dan Kiley; Jim Renacci

For Representative to Congress, 8th District — Warren Davidson

For Justice of the Supreme Court (term commencing Jan. 1, 2019) — Craig Baldwin

For Justice of the Supreme Court (term commencing Jan. 2, 2019) — Mary DeGenaro

For Judge of the Court of Appeals, (12th District) — Stephen W. Powell

For State Central Committee, Man, (5th District) — Steven A. Bruns; Doug Cook

For State Central Committee, Woman, (5th District) — Lisa A. Hayes; Mary Beth Kemmer

For State Senator (5th District) — Steven A. Huffman

For State Representative (43rd District) — Kenneth C. Henning; J. Todd Smith

For Preble County Commissioner — Rodney Creech

For Preble County Auditor — Lavon Wright

For Member of County Central Committee — Joseph E. Renner; Matthew Venable

No valid petition was filed for Judge of Preble County Common Pleas Court.