Democrats Call on Governor to Immediately Convene Redistricting Commission, Invite Bipartisan Partnership Toward 10/31 Deadline

COLUMBUS - After Republican lawmakers ignored the constitutionally-set deadline for proposing congressional district maps, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine today asking him to reconstitute the Ohio Redistricting Commission within the next 7 days to start the process to fulfill its constitutional obligation to produce a fair, bipartisan congressional map.

"On behalf of the people of Ohio, we respectfully write to you today as members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission with an urgent request to immediately convene the Commission so we can carry out our constitutionally mandated duty to pass a fair, constitutional congressional map by the end of the month," reads the letter.

"We take our oath to uphold the Ohio Constitution and its requirements to pass a bipartisan map gravely serious. We are prepared to take exceptional steps to meet those requirements. Per our request, we commit to you that, with at least 24 hours' notice, we are prepared to meet at any location, at any time, on any day within the next week to begin the process of helping the Commission do its job to pass a map."

The Ohio Constitution commands that the Commission "shall adopt a congressional district plan not later than the last day of October." 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.

"We invite you to join us in working to schedule multiple public hearings for Ohioans to participate in the process. And ultimately, we welcome your support in pushing for up or down votes on maps as we genuinely work together to do our job and pass a bipartisan map by October 31."

The Leaders also note Gov. DeWine's leadership in past moments of crisis and highlight the critical importance of his partnership in helping Ohio move in a different direction from the partisan fights in Texas, Missouri, and California.

The full letter can be found here.