COLUMBUS — Today, the US Census Bureau released redistricting data to the states for the purposes of redrawing state legislative and congressional districts. The Equal Districts Coalition — a unified group of nearly 30 Ohio advocacy organizations and unions engaged in the 2021 redistricting process — is calling on Ohio’s Redistricting Commission and legislature to immediately begin the important public work necessary to produce fair, representative districts.
“No matter who we are or where we’re from, we all deserve to stand on equal footing when it comes to having a say in who represents us in the Statehouse and in Congress. For too long, Ohioans have been shut out of the political process. We finally have a chance to fix that with fair maps — but only if our process is transparent and allows all of us an equal say in how our futures are drawn,” said Jeniece Brock, Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission Vice Chair and Policy and Advocacy Director for the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.
The Equal Districts Coalition has been calling on the Commission and legislature to host a robust, transparent redistricting process for the past several months. With map deadlines fast approaching and Census data in hand, the coalition now aims to jump-start this monumental process.
“The time for behind-closed-door conversations and foot dragging is over. We need to immediately start the transparent, public process that Ohioans demanded through our reform measures to ultimately give us the fair maps we so desperately need. With our redistricting data in hand, there is no more time to waste. It’s time to get to work,” said Katy Shanahan, Ohio State Director of All On The Line.
Citizen-led initiatives like the Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission (OCRC) have been holding multiple redistricting hearings in diverse communities throughout the state for the past several months, modeling an open, transparent, and inclusive process for the official commission. The coalition urges the redistricting commission to follow the OCRC’s model and quickly announce when public hearings will be hosted with ample notice so all Ohioans can equitably engage.
Here’s what Equal Districts Coalition partners are saying about today’s Census data release:
Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO:
“Over the past 10 years, Ohio’s working people have suffered the effects of severe gerrymandering. The result has meant bread-and-butter issues that most Ohioans care about have been left on the backburner while extremism is on the rise. Ohio’s working families deserve fair electoral maps and a transparent process.”
Whitney Siddiqi, Community Affairs Director, CAIR-Ohio:
“Fair and equal districts return power to the people, but we can only achieve this through a transparent mapmaking process that empowers Ohioans – especially those from marginalized and minority communities – to make their voices heard. It is imperative the Redistricting Commission announces a hearing schedule and ensures these hearings are equitable and accessible for all Ohioans.”
Rhiannon Carnes, Co-Founder, Ohio Women’s Alliance:
“Equal districts mean fair elections and a pathway for all people to have a strong voice voting for an inclusive democracy. When we don’t have equal districts, elected officials do not have the knowledge or vision for a viable and sustainable community for the people who elected them. When Ohio has fair districts, we have full and equitable representation through our shared values and the collective history of our people. Equal districts mean we have the power to exercise our right to self-determine and make decisions for our own futures and continue onward in the fight for racial justice and gender equity.”
Heather Taylor-Miesle, Executive Director, Ohio Environmental Council:
“Ohioans want elected decision-makers who put them first. A fair map will put the power back in the hands of voters and help end the corruption that has plagued our state — and its leaders — for far too long.”
Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, Executive Director, Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO):
“As people of conscience and faith, we bear witness to the need for an open, equitable, and timely redistricting process that results in fair maps. A transparent process and fair maps are essential to the successful operation and continuation of our democracy.”
Petee Talley, Director and Convenor, Ohio Unity Coalition:
“The release of the census data will help to guarantee that all Ohioans have a say with ensuring the Commission oversees a process that is fair and a true representation of the state’s citizens and who they determine to send to Congress to represent their interests.”
Desiree Tims, President and CEO, Innovation Ohio:
“Now that we have the Census data, it’s time to get to work. The Equal Districts Coalition is active in ensuring that Ohioans are ready and eager to participate in redistricting. We strongly urge the commission to create an open process that allows for substantial and diverse public input.”
Kathryn Poe, Public Policy Organizer, Equality Ohio:
“Redistricting validates representation. Having a fair map is the difference between electing an LGBTQ+ person or an ally to the state legislature, and having someone who will vote against our community.”
Daniel van Hoogstraten, State Director, For Our Future Ohio:
“Voters should pick their elected representatives in Congress and the Statehouse, not the other way around. That can’t happen without a transparent and fair redistricting process. The time is now for the commission to announce a public hearing schedule.”
Akii Butler, Commissioner — Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission, Student Organizer — Ohio Student Association:
“For far too long the redistricting process had done more harm than good. We are at a point where Ohioans would like to see real change. We need transparency and fairness. The time where officials are essentially picking who they want to represent is over. It’s time that they listen to those they are meant to serve, and give us the fair maps that we not only want, but need.”
Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:
“Ten years ago, Republicans gerrymandered Ohio districts to enable them to dominate the Statehouse. While winning 55% of congressional votes, Republicans drew districts that gave them 75% of the seats, and in these last ten years, Republicans have wielded their gerrymandered power to pass 30 abortion bans. The majority of Ohioans believe their neighbors should have access to abortion. Gerrymandering directly results in attacks on our reproductive freedom. We need a transparent map-drawing process to ensure equal maps where Ohioans are represented in our Statehouse.”
The Equal Districts Coalition is working to make sure Ohio’s new voting districts reflect its communities and motivate politicians to remain responsive to the values and needs of voters. Ohio’s current districts are some of the most rigged in the nation. The coalition refuses to accept another decade of unaccountable leadership. They are bringing together diverse communities that are traditionally left out of the map-drawing process by explaining the subject in a digestible manner, lifting up real stories to depict how redistricting directly impacts Ohioans’ lives, and equipping Ohioans with the tools they need to engage with the process.
The Equal Districts Coalition includes the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, OAPSE/AFSCME, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, the Ohio Environmental Council, Innovation Ohio, the Ohio Student Association, ProgressOhio, All On the Line-Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Ohio Council of Churches, NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, URGE – Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, LEAD Ohio, the Ohio Women’s Alliance, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Education Association, CAIR-Ohio, Campus Vote Project, For Our Future Ohio, Ohio Unity Coalition, Equality Ohio, The Freedom Bloc, and more.
