Rep. Weinstein votes in opposition to Republican gerrymandered 13-2 congressional map, urges veto from the governor

COLUMBUS —Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today issued a statement as Republicans passed a partisan, four-year congressional district map that unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. 

“By ending gerrymandering, we could go a long way toward ending the divisiveness in our government and start getting real results for all Ohioans. Those who voted for this bill have failed to respect the law of the land and the will of the overwhelming majority of voters,” said Rep. Weinstein.

Democrats offered a compromise set of district lines on the House floor Thursday, which they say better align with the fair district reforms voters passed in 2018. The Democratic amendment mirrored their compromise map, HB 483, and would have limited unwarranted splits in Ohio’s largest counties, kept more communities together, and better reflected the preferences of Ohio voters. The map also created three minority opportunity districts. Republicans rejected the good faith amendment.

Following the vote, Rep. Weinstein sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine urging a veto of the Republicans’ partisan 13-2 map, which says the map “violates the Ohio Constitution and flouts the will of the people of Ohio who demanded fair districts that follow explicit, strict anti-gerrymandering requirements.”

*Editor’s note: A copy of Rep. Weinstein’s letter urging Gov. DeWine to veto SB 258 is attached.