Despite Process Disorder, Ohio Redistricting Commission Adopts Maps

COLUMBUS – Co-Chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission and Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today released statements following the Ohio Redistricting Commission's unanimous vote to advance state legislative maps.

“I do appreciate the effort of the members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission who worked hard to find a compromise, as illustrated by the final amended map. We collectively produced better, fairer maps. However, this cycle of redistricting has made it clear that this process does not belong in the hands of politicians,” said Leader Antonio. “People should choose their representatives – not the other way around. Ohioans should not again be subject to the uncertainty, confusion, sustained litigation, repeated Supreme Court orders, or the disgrace of a federal judicial elections panel imposing unconstitutional maps on us. The future of redistricting in Ohio not only deserves to be in the hands of citizens, not politicians, but it must be done in an objective independent process. I believe this is our best path forward.”

“My vote was not a show of support for these maps, but an action to take the process out of the hands of politicians and help move us forward to a direction where the rightful owners of these maps- the people- have the final say,” said Leader Russo. “The harsh reality is you can’t un-gerrymander gerrymandered maps when those in control are unwilling to give up unearned power. Every step of this process has been nothing but political. Every negotiating tactic has come with a political angle. Every district we’ve discussed has been viewed as a political pawn. Something that can be moved, shaped, or divided any way needed, as long as it fits the endgame of a stronger GOP supermajority. Politicians need to remember these are not our districts. These are the voters’ districts. And the voters showed us in August, and they will show us again, that when politicians become corrupt or non-responsive, the people will have the final check on them.” 

Following four public hearings and a number of amendments to the plan that was originally introduced by Republicans on the commission last Friday, the ORC voted to adopt legislative maps.

The maps will be posted and available to the public here or at the following links:
Unified Bipartisan Redistricting Commission House Maps
Unified Bipartisan Redistricting Commission Senate Maps