Stop Corruption and End Gerrymandering
Ohio’s Statehouse was recently the center of the largest bribery scheme in state history, and gerrymandered maps keep too many elections decided before a single vote is cast. Together, they leave Ohioans with leaders who don’t have to listen and donors no one can see. Democracy works when the people in charge know we’re paying attention. Learn and take action now to remind politicians that they work for us!
Why does it matter?
Gerrymandering and dark-money corruption work hand-in-hand to undermine democratic representation and weaken the power of your vote.
It dilutes your vote: When politicians draw their own district boundaries, November elections can become a formality while outcomes are decided in low-turnout primaries.
It leaves voters without options: In 2024, approximately 1.8 million Ohioans lived in state legislative districts where only one major-party candidate appeared on the ballot.
It shields lawmakers from accountability: Lawmakers in safe seats face less pressure to listen to all constituents, answering instead to primary voters and special-interest donors.
It fuels pay-to-play politics: Gerrymandered districts make it easier to serve special interests. For example, House Bill 6 (HB6)—a billion-dollar power plant bailout—was passed after $60 million in FirstEnergy money flowed through dark money groups to elect favorable lawmakers. Ratepayers continue to pay for HB6, while key donors remained hidden.
It erodes public trust: Despite voter-approved map reforms in 2015 and 2018, and a rejected citizen-commission amendment in 2024, politicians still choose their voters, and voters cannot see who pays politicians. As of early 2025, no new state laws had passed to prevent a repeat of HB6.
Resources:
Ohio’s Gerrymandered State House Districts Lack Electoral Competition - Brennan Center for Justice
FirstEnergy HB6 bribery scandal in Ohio 5 years later: Critics say more could be done to prevent repeat - WKYC Studios (NBC)
A Detailed Analysis of Ohio’s New Congressional Map - Inside Elections
What is happening in Ohio?
Ohio's political and legal landscape is deeply impacted by redistricting battles and ongoing corruption cases.
The HB6 Fallout and Trials:
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was convicted of racketeering in 2023 and is serving a 20-year sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court declined his appeal in April 2026.
Two former FirstEnergy executives face state charges. After their initial trial ended in a mistrial, the state announced plans to retry them.
The HB6 scandal has drawn national media coverage, including an episode of HBO’s The Dark Money Game (2025).
Mid-Decade Redistricting Push:
Nationally, 10 states have redrawn congressional maps mid-decade, including Texas and California. Prior to 2025, only two states had redrawn maps mid-decade for partisan advantage since 1970.
Ohio's New Maps:
Previous state legislative and congressional maps were struck down repeatedly by the Ohio Supreme Court (five times for legislative maps, twice for congressional maps).
Under a legal requirement to redraw lines in 2025, the redistricting commission unanimously passed a new map on October 31, 2025.
The new map favors Republicans in 12 of 15 districts (up from 10) and is set through the 2030 elections. While commission Democrats voted yes, watchdog groups like Common Cause Ohio criticized the process. The competitive races on November 3rd “Blue Tsunami” were likely the exception, not the norm.
Judicial Landscape:
After the November 2026 election, the Ohio Supreme Court consists of five Republican justices and two Democratic justices.
Resources:
Redistricting between censuses has been rare in the modern era - Pew Research
A Detailed Analysis of Ohio’s New Congressional Map - Inside Elections
Testimony to the Ohio Redistricting Commission- Common Cause Ohio
How can you take action in Ohio?
Democracy requires active participation. You can get involved through nonpartisan advocacy organizations working toward fair maps, clean government, and transparent elections in Ohio:
Fair Districts Ohio: A coalition dedicated to fair redistricting and stopping gerrymandering in Ohio.
Common Cause Ohio: A nonpartisan watchdog group promoting open, honest, and accountable government.
League of Women Voters of Ohio: A nonpartisan organization focused on empowering voters and defending democracy.
RepresentUs: A nonpartisan organization working at both the state and federal level to end political corruption.
Resources:
Ohio House Democrats again push anti-corruption bills - Statehouse News Bureau
Sykes introduces anti-corruption bill following Ohio bribery scandal - Spectrum News
What reforms are being proposed?
State and federal lawmakers have introduced several measures to address campaign finance transparency and ethics.
State Dark-Money Disclosure: Ohio House Democrats reintroduced legislation requiring full disclosure of dark money donors in 2025.
Statehouse Ethics Bills: Both parties have filed ethics bills, though none have been enacted into law.
Federal Anti-Bribery Legislation: U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) introduced the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act in Congress with Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) introducing a companion bill in the Senate.