Smith Criticizes Redistricting Commission Schedule

Today, state Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) released a statement regarding the Ohio Redistricting Commission (ORC) scheduling a public hearing on Yom Kippur.

"It was a clear mistake for the Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission to schedule a meeting on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur," said Smith. "Citizens deserve to have their voices and opinions heard. Scheduling a northeast Ohio meeting, given its substantial Jewish population, on this day shows that the GOP-led commission is not serious about hearing from the public. I join Leader Antonio’s efforts to add an additional public hearing so all Ohio voices can be heard."

The ORC has scheduled two more statewide meetings on the flawed maps introduced by Republicans on the following days:

• 10 a.m. ET Monday, September 25 at Punderson Manor in NE Ohio
• 10 a.m. ET Tuesday, September 26 in the Senate Finance Hearing Room in the Ohio Senate

Since the hearing on Monday, September 25 falls on Yom Kippur, the ORC will seek to schedule an additional public hearing.

The public can watch the public hearings live on The Ohio Channel.