Leader Russo sworn into Ohio Redistricting Commission

COLUMBUS–House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a statement today committing to drawing fair state legislative maps following the first Ohio Redistricting Commission meeting.  

“The Ohio Supreme Court was very clear that ‘attempt’ is not a meaningless word when they ordered the Redistricting Commission to redraw the state legislative maps by Saturday, Jan. 22. It is now our responsibility to produce fair maps that comply with the 54-46 breakdown of the preferences of Ohio’s voters during the last decade as directed by the Constitution and the Court. It is my intention to do right by Ohioans and deliver the bipartisan, 10-year maps that they expected the first time around.”

In their ruling, the Court reaffirmed that the Commission is required to attempt to draw a plan in which the statewide proportion of Republican-leaning districts to Democratic-leaning districts corresponds with the statewide voter preferences of the last 10 years. The Court indicated that 54 percent of Ohio voters preferred Republican candidates and about 46 percent of Ohio voters preferred Democratic candidates.

The Supreme Court term defined “attempt” as “If it is possible for a district plan to comply with Section 6 and Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, the commission must adopt a plan that does so...” As part of the proceedings, the Court recognized that there are maps that satisfy all sections of the Constitution.  

Commission meetings will be live streamed on OhioChannel.org, and the public will be able to submit input at redistricting.ohio.gov.