COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Redistricting Commission is ready to move ahead and begin public hearings on proposed legislative maps. 

What You Need To Know

  • In a 5-2 vote, the commission accepted the GOP maps for consideration with the mindset that a lot of tweaking needs to be done

  • Lawmakers will work through the weekend to get recommendations for changes, as analysis continues on their process 

  • GOP maps reduce splits in counties especially in northeast and southwest Ohio

  • Commission members disagree on the fairness and constitutionality of Republican maps presented  
  • Citizens who gave public testimony on the GOP and the commission called for experts to be brought in as the next set of hearings begin

GOP leaders explained the task before them, to draw districts, was tough based on state geography and the shapes of counties. However, they managed to reduce the number of splits within counties on the House and Senate maps created, which was something that was required. 

They emphasized the short timeframe they had to create the maps. Ohioans testifying about the process and the maps pushed back, saying the Democrats were able to get their maps in ahead of the deadline and in time for the public to view.

They also pointed out that they felt the maps drawn up by Republicans were not fair and still favored Republicans heavily, while Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he felt the Democratic and Republican maps weren't too far apart.

Some commission members pointed out that the word "fair" needed to be defined. Regardless, citizens like Anastasia Birosh said, “I care greatly about having competitive Ohio Senate and Ohio House Districts.”

Concerns were raised about the short notice for the hearing, not having enough time to view the maps presented by the GOP and not considering the Voting Rights Act, race and other demographics to help in the creation of their maps. 

“To say that they don't even know what the distribution is, to present a map before this commission, to say they're unaware and didn't consider it at all is disingenuous,” said Sen. Vernon Sykes (D), commission co-chair. Yet, Senate President Matt Huffman (R), responded to reporters by saying that using race, in particular, was illegal to use race as a component to draw district lines. 

The commission did agree that the GOP maps needed a lot of work done to them, but noted they intended to work through the weekend in a bipartisan way to get suggestions for change. Now that the commission has actual maps to consider, they'll begin the first of a few hearings over the weekend, where the public is invited, along with experts to give their input. Then they'll meet again on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m.

Ohio Redistricting Commission Hearing Schedule:

  • Sunday at 4 p.m. in Dayton
  • Monday at 4 p.m. in Cleveland 
  • Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Columbus

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