Tue 9/21 @ 10AM-2PM
Ohio’s future depends on redistricting — and the vast majority of its voters got that when most than 70% voted to reform how legislative districts (2015) and later, congressional districts (2018) are drawn, mandating a transparent, bipartisan process that reflects the views of the voters.
Democrats released maps on August 31 — a day before the deadline — that maintained that 55-45 split favoring Republicans. On September 9, nine days after the deadline, Republicans released maps that ere worse than those of this past decade and eliminated all competitiveness from legislative districts. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, working with the anti-corruption group RepresentUS, scored it an “F.”
That’s why activists are gathering at the Statehouse Tuesday September 21 @ 10am-2pm for Fair Maps Day. It will feature speeches, marches, visitors to legislators and family-friendly activities, a great chance to get kid civically engaged. To register to attend, go here.
If our state House currently represented how voters break down along partisan lines, there would be 55 Republicans and 44 Democrats. There are 64 Rs and 35 Ds. Likewise, the state senate should be split about 19R-14D. It’s currently 25R-8R. Democrats released maps on August 31 — a day before the deadline — that maintained that 55-45 split favoring Republicans. On September 9, nine days after the deadline Republicans released maps that were worse than those of this past decade and eliminated all competitiveness from legislative districts. Their maps would likely create an even greater imbalance in both chambers.
Such maps have resulted in legislation that goes against what Ohio citizens want and it discourages people from voting since races are rarely competitive after the primary (Not one congressional seat in Ohio has changed hands in a decade.)
That’s what the four-hour hearing in Dayton Sunday September 12 and the five-plus hour hearing Cleveland (I left at that point) were about. Dozens of people testified, with virtually every one saying they wanted the fair, transparent, balanced process that voters demanded in 2015 and 2018. They asked for the redistricting commission to work together, not siloed by party, and to pass a map that adhered to the constitutional guidelines voters voted on. The GOP map appears to give the middle finger to those guidelines.
In Cleveland, all seven members of the redistricting commission — Democratic Senator Vernon Sykes and Democratic House minority lead Emilia Sykes, and Republicans Governor Mike DeWine, Auditor Keith Faber, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, House speaker Robert Cupp and Senate majority leader Matt Huffman — were present. Were they listening to the virtually unanimous demands of those offering testimony?
By next Tuesday we’ll know. The deadline to approve the maps in Wednesday September 15. Approving the current Republican maps, which were advanced on strictly partisan vote of the redistricting commission, would be a travesty and take away the voices of millions of Ohioans. With no Democratic support, the maps would only be good for four years and then we’d have to start the chaos all over again, a surefire way to stoke cynicism and disengagement. Is that the goal?
One Response to “Redistricting Hearings Show Ohioans Want Transparent, Bipartisan Process”
Debra Shankland
I was at the CLE hearing on Monday (good to see and hear Anastasia Pantsios!), as well as the hearing in Akron on August 27. Your observation is spot-on. The Rs have gone full-fascist. Ohio has become a big, fat, red joke.