(The Center Square) – Proposed congressional maps, Ohio Democrats say, meet constitutional requirements and won’t receive a hearing in the General Assembly.
House Minority Leader Dani Isaacohn, D-Cincinnati, said the maps follow guidelines established by voters in 2018, but Republican leadership failed to refer the bills to committee.
The lack of referral means the maps cannot have a public hearing until legislative rules are changed, which cannot happen until Oct. 1. Lawmakers have a Sept. 30 deadline to pass bipartisan maps.
“Ohio has some of the most rigged districts in the country, which has led to almost single party rule and an out-of-touch leadership,” Isaacohn said in a statement. “Ohioans should come first, not President Trump’s political agenda. We’re Midwest nice till you start to mess with our maps. House Democrats will continue to fight like hell for a fair, bipartisan map as well as the right for the public to make their voice heard to demand the equal representation they deserve.”
Republican leadership announced Wednesday the creation of a Joint Commission on Congressional Redistricting, which contains eight Republicans and four Democrats, including Isaacohn.
The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22.
“Democrats were proud to get the redistricting process started this week when we introduced our fair, constitutional maps the people Ohio deserve,” Isaacohn said. “These are not our maps, these are the voters maps. That is why it is so important that people should pick their elected officials, not the other way around. Starting the committee process will now give the public a chance to make their voices heard, so I encourage them to get involved in every step of the redistricting process to understand how gerrymandering impacts them.”
Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to have two public hearings and pass maps with a 60% vote that includes at least 50% of Democrats in the House and Senate.
If that fails, the process moves to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, where Republicans have a 5-2 majority. The constitution requires maps passed by the commission to receive Democratic support, as well.
If not, lawmakers get a second chance and can pass maps with a simple majority by Nov. 30.
