Yesterday, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit challenging Ohio’s egregiously gerrymandered congressional map. They filed together with the American Civil Liberties Union and Covington & Burling LLP, on behalf of Fair Districts coalition partners the League of Women Voters of Ohio, A. Philip Randolph Institute, and eight individual voters. Here’s a link to the ACLU Ohio’s press release, and click here to read the complaint itself. The complaint highlights that the newly approved congressional map unduly favors the political party in power: “But despite receiving an anticipated 67% to 80% of the seats, the Republican Party is projected to receive only 55% of the votes."
"Our elected officials have once again flagrantly violated the will of Ohioans, who have repeatedly voted for fair districts. Judicial intervention is critical to prevent these self-serving officials from perpetuating the terrible tradition of extreme partisan gerrymandering in our state. A core principle of republican government is that the voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around," noted Freda Levenson, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio.
The lawsuit also identifies improper splitting of communities and states: "The map unduly splits governmental units in the urban and suburban areas of southwestern and northeastern Ohio. In particular, the Enacted Plan splits counties and communities in Hamilton, Cuyahoga, and Summit -- splits that are unnecessary for any purpose other than to minimize the efficacy of Democratic votes." The lawsuit challenges the map passed by the Ohio General Assembly (SB 258) and is directed at the members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission (ORC) and legislative leadership. If the court rules that the map needs to be redrawn, that duty will fall first to the state legislature and, if they are not successful, go back to the ORC. This is the second lawsuit filed against SB 258. The National Redistricting Action Fund also filed one last week. Read their press release HERE, and take a look at the complaint HERE. Thanks for continuing to follow Ohio’s difficult redistricting process. We’re down but we’re not out. The fight for fair maps continues! Mia Lewis for Common Cause Ohio and Fair Districts
PS While we have you, heads up about upcoming events!
Monday, December 6: Join the League of Women Voters of Ohio for Lunching with the League with special guest Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball. RSVP HERE for the noon event.
Wednesday, December 8: Don’t forget to attend our December Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle, next Wednesday, December 8! Register HERE for the 6PM call.Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Fair Districts, please click here.
