DESPERATE MEASURES.

This article explores the use of ballot initiatives as a way for citizens to address issues such as gerrymandering and court decisions that have eroded fundamental rights. It focuses on the case of Ohio, where gerrymandering has led to Republican dominance in the legislature and US House delegation. Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor is leading an effort to establish a citizens redistricting commission through a ballot initiative, aiming to create district maps that are not influenced by politics. The article also discusses the role of direct democracy in protecting rights, including reproductive rights, and acknowledges that both progressive and conservative policies can be advanced through the initiative process. It highlights the resistance to direct democracy, particularly from Republicans who have introduced measures to restrict or undermine the ballot measure process, change the threshold for passing initiatives, and impose new obstacles. Republicans have also used the initiative process to undermine voting rights and have sought to repeal or undermine initiatives that expand voting rights. On the other hand, Democrats plan to use ballot initiatives to increase voter turnout and emphasize the significance of down-ballot races. [Extracted from the article]