Smith Condemns Statehouse Republicans for Ignoring Redistricting Deadline

Today, state Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) issued the following statement regarding Statehouse Republicans’ decision to ignore the constitutional requirement to pass a bipartisan congressional map by September 30. 

“It is extremely disappointing that Statehouse Republicans chose to ignore the will of the people again.  The method for deciding how the federal Congressional districts would be drawn was passed, as Issue 1, by Ohio voters in May 2018, with nearly 75% of the vote – which means Ohio Republican voters supported Issue 1 too,” said Smith. “By ignoring the opportunity to create a bipartisan map, everyday Ohioans are already questioning the integrity of the final map and the majority party's conduct. They rightfully fear that neither can be trusted. Ohioans deserve better, but GOP lawmakers in Columbus just continue to ignore them.”

Because the Republican-led Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting refused to produce a proposal and ignored the constitutional deadline of September 30, the Ohio Redistricting Commission is constitutionally required to meet during the month of October, hold public hearings, and pass a bipartisan congressional map that is representative of Ohio’s electorate. 

Democrats sent a letter to the governor urging him to reconvene the Ohio Redistricting Commission immediately to begin its work to produce a fair, bipartisan congressional map. 

The full letter can be found here.