Sykes, Cera Issue Joint Statement on First Redistricting Public Hearing

COLUMBUS— State Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) today released a joint statement following the first meeting of the General Assembly’s congressional redistricting working group. The joint, bipartisan group of lawmakers heard testimony from the public on the need to reform the state’s congressional redistricting process. The group is tasked with making recommendations to the General Assembly. “Today’s conversation highlighted many of the issues with our current redistricting process, and one thing remains clear: Ohioans feel as though their voices aren’t being heard. Our current redistricting system has rigged the game so that it’s the politicians choosing their voters instead of the voters choosing their politicians. “This was an important and necessary first step to ensure that we have a redistricting system in place that values openness, fairness and empowering Ohio voters. We’re optimistic that moving forward we can continue to have these productive conversations and come to a consensus about how we can make our congressional districts fairer so that the needs and voices of all Ohioans are heard and represented in Washington.” The Congressional Redistricting Working Group is composed of Senator Sykes, Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima), Representative Cera and Representative Kirk Schuring (R-Canton). The next, and last, public hearing will take place on Wednesday, November 1 at 6pm in room 313 of the Ohio Statehouse. Members of the public who are interested in testifying should bring written copies of their testimony to the working group. Witnesses should also limit their testimony to no longer than 10 minutes.