Columbus – State Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) today introduced legislation (SB 225) calling for a more balanced approach to congressional redistricting that better maintains communities of interest and increases the number of competitive districts in Ohio. The map was one of the top entries in a non-partisan competition sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and other citizen groups.
“The map drawn by Republicans (HB 319) represents a new extreme in gerrymandering for the state of Ohio,” said Senator Sawyer. “My legislation illustrates how it is possible to draw a fairer map that uses the same data and follows the law.”
The map contained in Senator Sawyer’s legislation was drawn by Republican State Representative Mike Fortner of Illinois. The map maintains communities of interest, promotes competitiveness and complies with the Voting Rights Act. It also does the following:
• Keeps 79 of Ohio’s 88 counties in single congressional districts.
• Creates competitive races in 11 of 16 congressional districts, compared to just two in the Republican plan.
• Gives Cuyahoga, Franklin and Hamilton counties entire districts within their boundaries.
Senator Sawyer is not endorsing Mr. Fortner’s plan specifically, but rather the more balanced approach it represents. This approach, based on public input, promotes fairness and inclusion instead of the narrow self interest of one political party.
“Mr. Fortner’s map may not be perfect, but its light years head of House Bill 319,” said Senator Sawyer. “I hope my legislation will lead to a thorough conversation about the supercharged partisanship that has over taken our current redistricting process.”
