Cincinnati Area Legislators, Equal Districts Coalition Discuss Urgent Need for Fair Maps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2021

Contact:
Rachel Coyle, 419-351-5844, coyle@innovationohio.org

CINCINNATI — Today, the Equal Districts Coalition — a unified group of nearly 30 Ohio advocacy organizations and unions demanding fair maps for Ohio — joined area legislators to discuss the crucial impact of redistricting on the Cincinnati area.

Speaking at today’s event were:

• Senator Cecil Thomas, Ohio Senate District 9

• State Rep. Brigid Kelly, Ohio House District 31

• State Rep. Catherine Ingram, Ohio House District 32

• State Rep. Sedrick Denson, Ohio House District 33

• State Rep. Jessica Miranda, Ohio House District 28

• Desiree Tims, President and CEO, Innovation Ohio

• Katy Shanahan, Ohio State Director, All On The Line

"Ohio’s Republican supermajority is trying to gut voting rights, punish peaceful protesters, overturn COVID safety measures, and more. They're even trying to ban honesty in education — that's how bad things have gotten in our state. This extremism does not represent the people of Ohio. Rigged, gerrymandered districts have given us politicians who don't share our values. Ohioans demand better," said Desiree Tims.

Ohio's 2021 redistricting process is especially crucial for the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city, and its residents consistently vote Democratic. However, the area has been purposefully "cracked" into two different congressional districts, leaving it represented by two Republicans. Recent analyses have found Ohio to be one the most gerrymandered states in the nation.

“Ohioans demanded a fair, transparent redistricting process because they recognize the impact for these new maps — for the next ten years and perhaps for generations,” said Rep Brigid Kelly (D — Cincinnati). “Our government should always be transparent, but it is especially crucial when it comes to redistricting.”

The Equal Districts Coalition is fighting for fair representation — maps that accurately represent Ohio voters. Over the last decade, Ohio Republicans have only captured an average of 55% of the vote. This means Republicans shouldn't occupy more than 55% of Ohio's legislative or congressional seats.

“We owe it to the people of Ohio to come up with legislative districts that accurately represent their views. As legislators, our voice should be their voice. So it is vitally important that the process is transparent and districts favor the people, not the politicians," said Senator Cecil Thomas (D — Avondale).

In a fair map, the city of Cincinnati will remain whole within one congressional district. As Ohio’s third largest city, Cincinnati should be the anchor for a district that rests fully within Hamilton county. Hamilton County is likely too big to be contained within just one district, so the Equal Districts Coalition urges mapmakers to keep similar communities together. The county’s West side rural area should be connected to rural Ohioans in neighboring counties.

“With new Census Data in hand, Ohioans have the opportunity to demand fair maps are drawn this year,” said Rep. Jessica Miranda (D — Forest Park). “This is about more than what the maps look like — this is about creating representation at the state and federal level that leads to policy decisions in everyone’s best interest.”

Public input will be crucial throughout this process. The Equal District Coalition encourages Ohioans to attend an upcoming public redistricting hearing to tell the redistricting commission how their communities should be mapped.

"For the last decade, Ohio has lived under some of the most gerrymandered maps in the country. This year, we have a real opportunity to right the ship of our democracy — but only if we take it. We're working to ensure that our maps are actually reflective of Ohio, and that they’re responsive to the will of Ohioans. That means if one party isn’t winning a supermajority of the votes, they also shouldn’t be occupying a supermajority of the seats. We’re working diligently to organize Ohioans across the state to attend the upcoming hearings and to inject the people's voice into every step of this process so we get the fair maps we so desperately need,” said Katy Shanahan.

The Equal Districts Coalition is fighting for fair maps by engaging new, diverse, and traditionally marginalized communities in Ohio's redistricting process. They're lifting up stories from real Ohioans to show how gerrymandering impacts our everyday lives. They're also building a wide ranging coalition, which will hold elected officials accountable to ensure fair maps.

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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.