Facing two redistricting deadlines, Ohio Democrats call on GOP commissioners to reconvene

The Democratic members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission urged it only takes one Republican commissioner to join them in calling for the panel to reconvene and adopt new state legislative district maps.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) say the redistricting commission should restart the independent mapmaking process they started last month.

Earlier this week, a federal court ruling said if new maps are not in place by May 28 then it will implement a set of maps. The maps would be from a plan adopted by the commission on February 24, but ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court on March 16. This is known as the third attempt or Map 3.

In a letter to the commission, Russo and Sykes wrote, "Nothing in the [federal court] order yesterday absolves the commission of its responsibilities, rather the order encourages us to rise above partisan interests and adopt constitutional maps prior to the court’s deadline."

Read more: https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2022-04-22/facing-two-redistricting-deadlines-ohio-democrats-call-on-gop-commissioners-to-reconvene