From Columbus Dispatch:

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office is proposing loaded ballot language for a redistricting reform measure, including references to manipulating the boundaries of legislative districts and repealing constitutional protections against gerrymandering.

The proposed ballot language for state Issue 1, distributed Thursday and obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, paints a picture of a measure that encourages rather than curbs gerrymandering, defined as drawing lines to unfairly favor one political party over another….

Backers of the amendment say this language would deceive voters. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office says it’s a fair and accurate summary.

The draft language begins: “The proposed amendment would: Repeal constitutional protections against gerrymandering approved by nearly three-quarters of Ohio electors participating in the statewide elections of 2015 and 2018, and eliminate the longstanding ability of Ohio citizens to hold their representatives accountable for establishing fair state legislative and congressional districts.”…

On Friday morning, the Ohio Ballot Board will meet to approve the language that voters will read at the ballot box.

The board is a five-member panel including the Ohio secretary of state, two Republicans and two Democrats picked by lawmakers. LaRose, a Republican, is not expected to attend Friday’s meeting because of his U.S. Army Reserve duty. Chief Legal Counsel Larry Obhof will fill in.

Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, a Republican who helped craft the amendment, said Citizens Not Politicians would sue if the draft ballot language is approved. She added that the language violates the Ohio Constitution’s prohibition against wording designed to mislead, deceive or defraud the voters.