Democrats applaud Supreme Court ruling on redistricting
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The Ohio Supreme has ruled to allow an effort to repeal the state's new Republican-drawn congressional map.
Ohio Republican lawmakers have placed Highland County in the southwest corner of a horseshoe-shaped 15th Congressional District, isolated from virtually all of the rest of the district.
The Oct. 14 High Court decision was immediately applauded by the Ohio Democratic Party, which has opposed the GOP congressional map.
“We applaud this unanimous ruling that makes clear that the people of Ohio can exercise their right to stop these unfair congressional maps,” said State Representative Kathleen Clyde of Kent, a member of the committee.
“Statehouse Republicans now have a choice: They can come back to the drawing board and produce fair maps with bipartisan support, or they can create widespread uncertainty in our next election. We are prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to make sure that the people’s voice is heard.”
On Monday, Ohioans for Fair Districts will request that the Ohio Supreme Court restart the 90-day window for collecting signatures to repeal House Bill 319. Under Ohio law, 90 days are given after a bill is signed into law by the governor to collect signatures to place a repeal of the law on the ballot.
"The unanimous decision announced Friday night throws the state's congressional district lines into confusion and is likely to threaten Ohio's ability to hold its congressional primary in March, as originally planned," The Plain Dealer reported.
Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder released a statement on Friday night that described the decision as "the first step in judicial interference in this process" and said he was "extremely disappointed."
Ohio Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, and Ohio Sen. David Daniels, R-Greenfield, who represent Highland County in the General Assembly, both supported the Republicans' redistricting.[[In-content Ad]]
Ohio Republican lawmakers have placed Highland County in the southwest corner of a horseshoe-shaped 15th Congressional District, isolated from virtually all of the rest of the district.
The Oct. 14 High Court decision was immediately applauded by the Ohio Democratic Party, which has opposed the GOP congressional map.
“We applaud this unanimous ruling that makes clear that the people of Ohio can exercise their right to stop these unfair congressional maps,” said State Representative Kathleen Clyde of Kent, a member of the committee.
“Statehouse Republicans now have a choice: They can come back to the drawing board and produce fair maps with bipartisan support, or they can create widespread uncertainty in our next election. We are prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to make sure that the people’s voice is heard.”
On Monday, Ohioans for Fair Districts will request that the Ohio Supreme Court restart the 90-day window for collecting signatures to repeal House Bill 319. Under Ohio law, 90 days are given after a bill is signed into law by the governor to collect signatures to place a repeal of the law on the ballot.
"The unanimous decision announced Friday night throws the state's congressional district lines into confusion and is likely to threaten Ohio's ability to hold its congressional primary in March, as originally planned," The Plain Dealer reported.
Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder released a statement on Friday night that described the decision as "the first step in judicial interference in this process" and said he was "extremely disappointed."
Ohio Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, and Ohio Sen. David Daniels, R-Greenfield, who represent Highland County in the General Assembly, both supported the Republicans' redistricting.[[In-content Ad]]