The group Fair Districts for Summit County has proposed a charter amendment to create an independent commission responsible for the approval of redistricting plans. Should the amendment gain enough signatures to get on the November ballot and be passed by voters, the redistricting would take effect in 2016.

Ten Democratic council members have sponsored legislation opposing the amendment, claiming the changes are attempts to gerrymander districts to benefit Republicans and weaken the importance of Akron in county council districts.

The council is introducing its own charter amendment to create a redistricting commission, but any redistricting changes would take place after the 2020 U.S. Census.