Leader Sykes, Sen. Sykes issue statement as Redistricting Commission misses Sept. 1 map deadline

COLUMBUS– Ohio Redistricting Commission co-chair Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today after the Redistricting Commission failed to meet its constitutional duty to release, hold three hearings on, and adopt a state legislative district map by Sept. 1. Even though other maps have been presented to the Commission, the Commission itself has neither produced nor worked on one, and co-chair Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) has not given a date that the Commission will propose a map for review.  

“Ohio’s constitution requires the Commission to approve a map by September 1. When Democrats called on the Commission over a week ago to release a map in order to meet this important deadline, we were met with inaction from the majority party members. There could have been an attempt to meet this deadline despite the delays in census data, but Republicans chose not to.

It’s disappointing that the Commission failed to meet its Constitutional mandate after hundreds of Ohioans did their part and came out to testify on the importance of fair maps for our state. If the Commission isn’t going to act today, it is imperative that it delivers fair maps and better representation by releasing and approving a bipartisan map before the next deadline of Sept. 15.”

The Commission met yesterday but adjourned without scheduling its next meeting.