Rep. Brown supports Ohio Supreme Court's decision to strike down gerrymandered Congressional districts

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) released the following statement after the Ohio Supreme Court struck down the gerrymandered Congressional map passed by Republicans last year.

“The Congressional map Republicans passed clearly violated the Ohio Constitution and blatantly ignored the will of Ohio voters. Twice this week, the Ohio Supreme Court sided with the People of Ohio who demanded, in both 2015 and 2018 at the ballot box, that we pass fair maps that guarantee fair representation,” said Rep. Brown. “I hope the majority party will work with our caucus on a map that earns the support of members from both parties, and most importantly, the people of Ohio.”

The Republican’s Congressional map was passed by the legislature in November 2021 without any Democratic support. The map was ruled unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court because it did not comply with the core anti-gerrymandering provisions of the Ohio Constitution passed by Ohio voters in 2015 and 2018. Now, the Ohio General Assembly has 30 days to redraw and pass a new Congressional Map. A new, 10-year Congressional map would require 60% support in each chamber of the legislature with at least 50% of Democrats.