Rep. Sims: Republicans Fail to Introduce Map, Miss Deadline for Bipartisan Congressional Redistricting

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today slammed the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting’s failure to advance any fair, constitutional maps, calling it another broken promise to the people of Ohio.

“The Joint Commission had a duty, and Republicans failed to carry out their end of this critically important responsibility. Prior to and throughout this current process the people of Ohio have spoken loudly and consistently that they want congressional maps that are fair and constitutional. It is unfortunate that their voices continue to go unheard,” said Rep. Sims.

Now that the Republican-controlled legislature has failed to introduce and pass a new congressional map as outlined in the Ohio Constitution, the process moves to the Republican-controlled Ohio Redistricting Commission. That commission has until October 31st to vote on a bipartisan map. If Republicans fail to act again, the process returns to the legislature where it has until November 31st to pass a map by a simple majority.