In January 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders the Ohio General Assembly maps approved by five members of the Redistricting Commission. Specifically, the Court found that the maps violated Article XI Section 6 and called the Ohio Redistricting Commission back into existence to finish the people’s business.
Fair Districts Ohio called on the Commission to:
- Swiftly announce and hold meaningful public hearings to hear from experts as well as Ohio voters;
- Draw maps through a transparent and bipartisan process that complies with the letter and spirit of the Ohio Sunshine Act;
- Keep communities together and prioritize the needs of voters over short-sighted, partisan political concerns; and
- Create districts that comply with the Ohio Constitution, including but not limited to Article XI Section 6 of as interpreted by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Specifically, these districts must be fair and proportional to how Ohioans vote, adhering to the 54 percent Republican, 46 percent Democratic proportional breakdown specified by the Court.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission and Ohio Legislature delayed making the changes that would have made Ohio's legislative (state and national) fair. As a result, elections were held using unconstitutional maps. To date, no new maps have been approved by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Stay tuned for more news and opportunities for advocacy.