Abortion foes unite for Issue 1

COLUMBUS - This might be a first. Abortion foes Ohio Right to Life and NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio agree on a key statewide issue.

Both endorsed Issue 1, which would change how Ohio draws lines for state lawmaker's districts. The proposal, which would create a seven-member panel to draw lines, has endorsements from strange bedfellows, including the Ohio Republican Party and Ohio Democratic Party; opponents and proponents of Senate Bill 5, a hotly contested attempt to restrict unions; and pro-abortion and anti-abortion camps.

“More pro-life Democratic candidates will get elected if we have less gerrymandered districts which, at times, protect pro-choice candidates,’’ said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, in a news release.

Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice, agreed, but for different reasons. "For voters to be truly empowered, we must end today’s system that lets politicians pick their voters by designing their own districts,’’ she said.

If approved by voters Tuesday, the new panel would redraw lines after the next U.S. Census in 2020. If at least two minority and two majority members of the panel like the new map, it would last for 10 years. If they can't agree, the map would only last for four years, long enough to elect new statewide officials.

Common Cause Ohio, a left-leaning government watchdog group supporting Issue 1, compiled a list of opponents who have united over fairer districts. Michigan and Ohio State fans and cat and dog lovers could agree, the group argued.

Sydney Wimbish of Cats for Issue 1 and Skylar Davis of Dogs for Issue 1 also endorse the change. It's unclear if they are of legal voting age.