Public Comment

Your dumpster fire of a map CLEARLY shows you don't care about your state, only your treasonous, narcissistic needs. You ought to hang your heads in shame for painfully disrespecting the will of the people. I pray that the once-patriotic-and-hopefully-twice Supreme Court has the balls to stomp on your trash again. That map literally gives your hollowheads 80-87% of the seats, when you should only get about 54%. PLEASE change the map, use my alternative. It's pretty compact and most of the seats are competitive, so you never know who wins. Here's the link: https://app.districtbuilder.org/projects/ed5ff9fe-37cc-4af7-83fc-73ede2a53c4b
I hope you have a change of mind real soon.
Be careful,
FD
Jr. D-Buffalo

It's obvious that the Republican members of the committee, including DeWine and LaRose don't give two hoots what the voters of Ohio want. You are no better than Putin's Russia. We want real, FAIR representation. What about FAIR do you not understand? I would say shame on you, but you are obviously shameless.

At the 11th hour, the ringleader of the gerrymandering circus declares that Article XIX allows them to dilly-dally until this late stage, then pass a biased map along party lines. This is not supported by the text of Article XIX nor the language of the ballot initiative approved by Ohio voters. Quite simply, it is a contemptible defiance of the recent Ohio Supreme Court opinions and seriously disrupts the 2022 elections.
Anyone who has sworn to uphold Ohio's laws (including a former attorney general and a Court justice) must faithfully execute their redistricting responsibilities and respect the role of the judiciary in interpreting those laws.
Short of storming government offices, I cannot think of a more fundamental attack on the American electoral process.

March 3, 2022

Dear Members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission,

Watching your actions yesterday, brought tears to my eyes, because I saw a picture of how democracies are lost to the desires of control and power.

This is not the history that we should bequest to our grandchildren, great grandchildren and beyond.

Stop, take a deep breath and see what your choices are doing to our democracy!!

Peace, Paul

cc: Rep. Hoops and Senator McColly

To the Republican members: Your continuing, repeated refusal to recognize the will of Ohioans, and to observe the tenets of our government "outs" you as respecters, admirers of Putin. Shame on you. You fear that if you behaved correctly, you'll never win another election.

Good morning, Commissioners!
The map of the First District in your plan introduced yesterday dilutes the voice and undermines the needs of Cincinnati voters by cracking us and combining us with Warren County. A compact district contained in Hamilton County would do much better in keeping together our community of interest. Please use the District 1 lines in the Fair District Model Map. As a Cincinnati voter and Christian advocate for solutions to poverty and environmental problems, I see that Hamilton County voters in the Mill Creek Valley share these concerns, which are not top of mind for Warren County. With the exception of Congressman Driehaus, the Congresspeople representing Hamilton County have opposed the federal solutions we need. Please revise District 1 to better represent us.

I have been following the Ohio redistricting process very closely and have looked at analyses of all proposed maps. This commission is a complete failure and nothing more than a waste of taxpayers dollars as map after map gets rejected. Today's map is no different from the other horrendously biased maps that gerrymander the state I grew up in. This entire process has only shown that politicians cannot be trusted to draw their own districts and I fully support up and coming redistricting referendums that rightfully give people the ability to choose their representatives and not the other way around.

I am a registered Republican who lives in the City of Avon in Lorain County. In my view, the March 1 proposed map is an abomination! It is nothing more than another attempt at egregious political gerrymandering. While purporting to be responsive to the Ohio Supreme Court order I do not believe it meets the intent of the ruling nor conform to principles of effective governance.
The districts are not compact. (It is irrelevant that it is more compact than the Democratic proposed map which was not compact.) Specifically, as a resident of Lorain County being in a Congressional District with the other counties on the proposed map is completely inappropriate. I recommend that Lorain County and the western suburbs of Cuyahoga County be paired to form a more compact district with strong shared interests. I believe that similar comments can be made for other cities and counties as well. I urge the Commission to modify the proposed map to incorporate my recommendation.
Thank you.

It is, frankly, despicable that members of the Redistricting Commission are so wantonly ignoring the will of the voters of Ohio, and those of its highest judicial body. If I offered this much hostility to court orders (not to mention Constitutional Duties), I would be found in contempt of court and sent to temporary detention. While I doubt the Justices wish to pursue that option, I think these elected officials deserve to experience a sliver of the fear that the normal, everyday people they lord over feel when interacting with officers of the court.

This is already a Republican-majority state (a majority that is growing with time), and they have a responsibility to act with some level of fairness. They completely abdicate the responsibility, act in deliberate bad faith, offer excuses that they know to be false, and are seemingly completely unaccountable.

Any Justice of this Court who goes along with the despicable partisanship of this process is lying, foremost, to themselves.

Map for democracy - it is a mindset and passion for freedom. The majority of this Commission has chosen to have the mindset to gaslight Ohio voters and the Ohio Supreme Court. They pretend to be "working" on fair maps but only create/adopt maps that continue to be self-serving over and above the protection of democracy. They disregard the Ohio voters, court, and constitution. This mindset breaks down the fundamental base of democracy. This mindset is dangerous, this mindset is how Putin thinks and rules. In a democracy, the voters choose representation, not the other way around. So what will be the true mindset of this commission? Can they turn toward democracy?

To the Ohio Redistricting Commission,

Let Ohio lead the way to open dialogue and bipartisan compromise: prepare and pass fair maps! Fair maps include all citizens being represented. With an almost 50-50 split in Democrats vs Republicans in Ohio, the maps should reflect that. Allowing the maps to give Democrats many toss-up districts while Republicans get no toss-up districts is also unfair and a bit sneaky.

Ohio is often represented to the rest of our country and the world as being unfairly Republican and unaccepting of compromise with people of different opinions. That impacts the economic development in Ohio and leads to a brain-drain. Young people want open dialogue.

The only way to keep the country strong is if we all compromise and try to understand different points of view. One way to do that is to vote and everyone deserves to have their vote 'heard'.

Debra Meager

Concerning Geauga County, Ohioi. Your writers have put a spike into Cuyahoga County from Geauga County. Geauga County is a semi rural county completely the opposite in every type of living, commercial and development opportunities. We have large lots, trees, hunting, fishing, discharge of weapons camping campfires, farming, maple syurp 4H, cleaner air, undergound water. Three rivers that feed into Lake Erie. Our underground water feeds dozens of counties to the south. We need protection from not inclusion into urban areas!

The Commission has to stop playing their unconstitutional games, do their jobs and approve Fair Maps. I have testified in person, sent written testimony, as well as sent many messages to the Commission voicing my frustration with the GOP maps. The voters of Ohio overwhelmingly voted for Fair Maps, and will not settle for anything less.

Again, the commission has shone total contempt for Ohio voters by failing to follow the law they passed and contempt for the Ohio Supreme Court by passing legislative maps behind closed doors! Releasing those maps to the Democratic members of the commission and the public less than 3 hours before calling for a vote is so egregious that I won't even bother to comment. You have proved the point that gerrymandered elections put in office "power-hungry politicians" that vote for special interests over the best interests of their constituents! You have demonstrated again why we need TRULY FAIR DISTRICTS!

I learned in school that the definition of gerrymandering is: " to manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class." I was also taught that this was illegal sadly, you all must have been absent the day that was taught...Ohio voters passed that they wanted fair districts. Listen to the voters & make Ohio maps fair. Do the right thing!

On Tuesday you will appear before the Ohio Supreme Court for a hearing to determine if you are in contempt of the Court's order to obey the Ohio Constitution. Regardless of the Court's decision, as a voter in Ohio along with the 70% of other voters who approved Constitutional amendments to end gerrymandering and produce fair election maps, I find those of you who voted to enact the previously enacted maps in contempt. Instead of acting as voters overwhelmingly directed, you have acted to still weasel through gerrymandered maps in order to retain your own power. And you have done so by violating the requirements of sunshine as well. Shame on you. Your anti-democratic actions will be well remembered.

For the third time, the Republican members of the Redistricting Commission have failed the people of Ohio. While Sen. Huffman spent an hour attacking the compactness of districts in the Dem plan last week, this map is even worse a culprit. The hypocrisy is clear in districts such as 35, a Reverse Block C that snakes from Geauga County, through Portage, and down to Portage Lakes. This plan is willful contempt of not only the court, but also the people of Ohio. They know thy can't win on their ideas in a proportional map, so they have to rig it in their favor. Ohio is sick of the games.

Where's the maps?
Laws are not just for the "little people".
The Court needs to cite the Commissioners for contempt, provide them a nice, comfortable jail cell fitted with computers, and let them out only when the people of Ohio have fair maps.
This isn't that complicated.

The Republican leaders on the Redistricting Commission have again failed to perform the duties of the office in which they were elected. The chaos that will ensure this election cycle will be due - in its totality - to the desire to place self-interests above the interests of Ohioans. You are an embarrassment to our state and should be immediately relieved of your duties.

there needs to be a committee selected by the democrats and republicans to do this work. equal representation from both sides. the fact that the republican party has foisted districts that do NOT represent the actual breakdown of the parties shows just how one side can CHEAT their way into power for YEARS. seems unless they cheat they can not remain in total power. it is ridiculous. stop allowing this to happen.

What I just witnessed from the majority of this committee tonight, February 24, 2022, is disappointing, disheartening, and destructive.

I expect representatives sworn to Ohio and US Constitution to create maps that match the populous closely ( period). This is what I thought our approved legislation did. Get it done for us.

The egregious proceedings that just occurred this evening, February 24, 2022, by all majority members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission regarding Ohio legislative maps, thumbs the nose at the Ohio Supreme Court, as well as the Ohio voters' mandate stating we want fairness in redistricting, not partisan favor. In addition, the Secretary of State proposed new rules that were approved by the majority party, favoring the majority party, that allows candidates time to relocate into new districts to their advantage. The majority party will stop at nothing to hold control within this state, despite the Ohio Supreme Court stating this Commission must adhere to the Ohio Constitution. The actions of the majority members of this Commission are unbounded in their quest for unfettered control of this state.

This is an absolute corruption of public duty. If the Supreme Court doesn't hold the commission in contempt, the Court is as guilty of disenfranchisement of Ohio's voters as the Republican Party.
All of you should be ashamed of yourselves, but we already know shame isn't a concern for DeWine, Larose, Cupp and cronies. The most curt state in the Union, and an utter embarrassment that you all are such cowards you can't even fight fair in the slightest.

The new maps available online on 2/24/22 have the exact same problem as the last set of state legislative maps that were deemed unconstitutional. There are a large number of competitive Democratic seats and none for Republicans. This will once again violate the proportionality clause of the Ohio Constitution and continue to gerrymander our state. Every Republican that votes for the maps should be held in contempt of court.

The ppl of Ohio VOTED and PASSED legislation to have non-partisan maps and to end gerrymandered. This is a no brainer, enact the will of the ppl and draw fair maps period.

I submit a proposed congressional redistricting map that I contend is far superior to the maps proposed by the Redistricting Committee, by any of the political parties, or by any third parties I have been able to review. My map was created on Districtr.org and can be viewed at: https://districtr.org/plan/74693

Contrary to the political considerations of the political parties, I created a map to maximize the number of competitive districts, while also aiming for compactness of districts, and adherence to county boundaries.

With my map, 9 of the 15 districts would be competitive between the two major parties, far more than with any alternative proposed map. 3 districts would be likely Democratic and 3 would be likely Republican. My districts are extremely compact and they follow county lines. The districts have nearly equal populations with divergence less than 1%.

I have comments regarding the GOP GA maps just posted.

First, the Constitutional demanded process of transparency is being undermined by not allowing sufficient time for review and analysis and public comment.

Second, there are several disturbing issues with the new maps. There are numerous odd shaped districts with long appendages or unnatural connectivity. These are not compact and do not convey keeping like communities together.

Third, the alleged compliance with the 54-45 split is questionable. Similar to the last maps presented, there are numerous D leaning districts with slight margin but all R leaning districts have large margins.

Finally, the Rodden III maps comply with the constitutional provisions of compactness, proportionality, and not splitting communties much better than these new GOP submitted maps.

The Rodden III maps should be adopted instead of the new GOP maps.

As a Ohioan, I am currently watching my voice, and the majority of Ohio voices be ignored and stalled for what we voted for FAIR MAPS! Republicans have used multiple attempts at circumventing our voices with maps that give them unfair advantage for a decade. End this gerrymandering!

Here we are, in late February, and we still don't have maps. I have sat and watched with disgust as you, Senator Huffman, have wasted taxpayer and the commission's time, waxing rhapsodic about a map that is clearly unconstitutional, listening to a dude who is so clearly a fringe self-appointed savior of the US and of Ohio in what was so obviously a put-up job it made me sick. I watched as you questions Russo over and over about how dare the Dem offered map risk an incumbent's seat...when the very NATURE of drawing new maps when the old ones were gerrymandered means incumbents' districts are unconstitutional and NEED to be challenged! and you know it! stop wasting everyone's time, risking a delay of the primary, and just approve maps that don't unfairly benefit your party.

I was born and raised here in Ohio, and over 50 years have voted. I helped petition for fair maps because I have seen politicians elected who do not represent my district as a whole. The people have asked that bipartisan, fair maps be redrawn because we are sick and tired of both parties' gerrymandering communities to stay in power. It's time we give the power back to the people of Ohio. I feel the Ohio redistricting commission attitude toward the Ohio Supreme Court's ruling is indicative of how they have run our government, ignoring the people's wishes, and should be held accountable for negligence and abuse of power.

Collaboration and negotiation with others is key to this process moving forward. These are key components for the proper functioning of government. These components not only provide for satisfied citizenry but also shows others how a government can work well together and attract people and businesses to the area.
What recourse will Ohioans then have, if you move forward in such a biased, prejudicial fashion to adopt a map like what you proposed in SB 286? Ohioans can take this issue to the voters again. Do not make this more difficult. Meet your responsibilities with fervor and a passion again for a Democracy. Living under Fascist rule is only ok for just a few, and they go in and out of favor quickly, while the people you swore to protect and serve, who are your neighbors, friends, and family, suffer great harm.

On May 8, 2018, the majority of Ohio voters voted overwhelmingly 74.89% to 25.11% to change the Ohio constitution and require fairly drawn districts to allow for accountable representation. This is a huge majority of citizens from across the state. The Ohio Supreme Court recognizes this fact, and has directed the Ohio Redistricting Commission to make fair maps happen. This can be accomplished as directed because we have seen examples of fairly drawn map and districts that keep communities whole. Voters are supposed to choose candidates. But when lawmakers draw district lines to entrench one party's political power, some votes count more than others. I am a voter, a poll worker, and a non-partisan volunteer who works to register new voters, and to encourage all people to participate in our shared experience of citizenship by voting. When we finally have the fairly drawn districts that the voters demanded and the Supreme Court required, and that keeps communities whole and together

I attended the hearing in Cincinnati. Many commissioners were absent and sent subs. The commissioners in attendance appeared bored and unhappy to be there. Governor DeWine was in Cincinnati but visited the Bengals instead of attending the meeting. Voting is important! Get together and do

WHAT YOU WERE APPOINTED TO DO!

ADOPT MAPS!

I urge commission members to adopt the Rodden III maps for the Ohio House and Senate, and the Fair Districts model congressional map. These maps are constitutional and will deliver fair maps to Ohioans , who overwhelmingly voted to end gerrymandering.

The GOP has, nationwide, taken up the cause to fight voter fraud. Legislation is popping up like mushrooms to find way to protect the sanctity of the voting process. Republicans will talk until they run out of breath about the importance of maintaining fair elections and the lengths they've gone to achieve this.

Meanwhile in Ohio, the unconstitutional district maps that have been twice rejected by the court get a 15 minute meeting to inform someone that the commission has their aids working on a new map. This as the deadline again draws near and elections are in jeopardy.

Why would anyone believe either stream of rhetoric?

A request for the statewide office holders on the Commission - Governor DeWine, Auditor Faber and Secretary LaRose. It is time for you to step up and take control of the process. Please submit one or more of the outside proposals (Rodden III House and Senate maps and Fair Districts Congressional map, for example) for formal votes today. There is no time to waste. There has been plenty of testimony and the voices of Ohio voters have been clear that single-party proposals will not work.

We're just asking for fair maps. The right to vote and be heard is very important in a democratic society.

I strongly support adoption of the Fair Districts Congressional Map.

It achieves representational fairness while delivering high competitiveness. The districts are compact, and drawn with minimal splits. The districts are drawn to protect communities of interest. The districts follow regional boundaries that significantly align with Metropolitan. Regional and Rural Planning Organizations (MPOs and RPOs). Districts are drawn for coherent representation, encompassing areas with similar economic and geographic characteristics that share media markets, transportation routes, school districts and other governmental units.

District 4, in which I would reside, has Lorain County paired with the western portion of Cuyahoga County. From my perspective, this would result in highly effective congressional representation of its citizens.

The Republican Party used to stand for some ideals that were laudable, like ending slavery. Now it stands for direct contempt of court and indirect contempt of the electors of Ohio who twice voted for constitutional amendments ensuring an end to gerrymandering. Instead of working diligently to comply with a Court mandate, they drag their heels and let their cronies file a baseless federal lawsuit or claim that it's impossible to comply with the court mandate while they take their sweet time to even meet and instead fly to the Super Bowl to watch the Bengals play. Thank God for Chief Justice O'Connor, and this is why it's imperative that electors vote for the three Democrats running for the Ohio Supreme Court this November to end this contemptible conduct by the Ohio GOP for the next six years.

The easiest way for the Court to move the process forward without having to hold the Commission (including the Governor) in contempt or by replacing the Commission and starting over, is to overrule Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, accept the minority maps as legitimate Commission submission and review for Constitutional issues, identify any issues and require the commission to resolve those issues, recognizing that some issues may require further resolution subsequent to implementing the best solution map.

The plaintiffs in Ezell Armour v Ohio object to the currently proposed Congressional map for the proposed 6th Congressional District due to its including areas south of Mahoning County . It is also the position of the Armour Plaintiffs that the proposed districts violate the federal Voting Rights Act , because the districts were drawn without consideration of racial demographics

It is impossible to view the inability to draw bipartisan congressional and state maps as anything other than willful ignorance by five members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Gov. DeWine's post meeting laments and Secretary LaRose's concern for missing the deadline for primaries are disingenuous. Both had opportunities to show leadership and courage in the past that could have avoided this crisis. Redrawing maps should be taken out of the hands of the legislature.

Republican Commissioners: "it can't be done"
Ohio Voters: "but the Democratic members did it"
Republican Commissioners: "it just can't be done"
Ohio Voters: "but Fair Districts Ohio did it"
Republican Commissioners: "We tried, it can't be done"
Ohio Voters: "but the League of Women Voters did it too"
Republican Commissioners: "Sadly, it just can't be done"
Ohio Voters: "oh I think I understand now..."alternative facts""
Republican Commissioners: "YES, yes, you finally get it"
Ohio Voters: "wait...but didn't the Ohio Supreme Court acknowledge it COULD be done?
Republican Commission: "it can't be done"
Ohio Voters: "oh thanks for clearing that up for me. I think I understand gaslighting now"

The Redistricting Commission has betrayed the people of Ohio in declaring itself at an impasse. Both Fair Districts Ohio and the League of Women Voters have submitted maps meeting the constitution's requirements. It is wrong to allow this to be punted to the courts. Nor have you shown cause as to why the maps that have been provided cannot be adopted and so one must conclude this is nothing but a lack of political will and courage. If you evade your constitutional responsibility and unfair districts are allowed to continue, you will have failed in the oaths you took when you assumed office.

If the majority leadership of this Commission is unable to produce a Constitutionally compliant map, I would say that three strikes and you're out. It's time for fresh leadership. You were unwilling to even offer suggestions for the map provided to get a workable map? We are tired of this "can't-do" (or "won't-do") attitude by the Republican majority. You are losing the right to govern. If you refuse to comply with the Ohio constitution on this, you have violated your oath of office and should be removed.

The republicans have proven their lack of character in shocking fashion. They are incapable of being fair or compromising and are treading into totalitarian territory. They will fight to the death to hold the legislative power they currently hold with an iron grip. Gov. Dewine shows his usual colors talking out of both sides of his mouth, decrying the lack of cooperation yet voting against every democratic party map submission. Give me a break. We need to vote all these republican clowns out. As if voting matters anymore or they will allow a vote to happen. Welcome to mother Russia comrades.

The overwhelming majority of Ohioans voted for change in both the General Assembly and Congressional redistricting process. We voted with a clear and strong voice against gerrymandering. Your job now is to simply COMPLY WITH THE LAW of the State of Ohio and produce fair, representative maps with a balance of districts reflecting the demographics and political make-up of the people of Ohio. Do your jobs and adopt fair maps. Enough with GOP gerrymandering of our house, senate and Congress to their unfair advantage!

I am not sure why the maps should be allowed to remain as they are until new maps are finalized. If the current maps are gerrymandered, and they obviously are, and the new maps also do not fix the issue - why would the current maps not revert back to the last set of maps that existed before the districts were badly gerrymandered? To me - this would seem like an incentive to help all involved do the right thing with the brand new maps, in an acceptable time frame. The voters spoke. If you can't do the right thing, you should at least be forced to undo the wrong one.

I am still dumbfounded after listening to the redistricting meeting, in its entirety, this afternoon. The majority speech by gov dewhine clearly laid out one excuse after another that it is impossible to construct a map, from scratch, according to the parameters set forth by the Ohio Supreme Court ruling in the 10 day timeframe which was allotted. Bullying, whining, and stalling by the majority consumed the entire afternoon in their defense of the existing district maps which have been ruled unconditional by our Supreme Court. They said the nonpartisan maps drawn and proposed in September 2021 and Feb 2022 were unconstitutional (based on their current gerrymandered maps), and did not even acknowledge any willingness to work with the minority members of the commission.

OH GOP concerned more with incumbent protection over representing Ohio people. They are scum. Pure and simple.

Matt Huffman and Bob Cupp (along with Ray DiRossi and Blake Springhetti) should never be allowed to draw maps again! Those two should be held in contempt and must face discipline. I am tired of the childish games from the authoritarian wannabees. They make me want to move out of the state. So much damage to Ohio's reputation has come from gerrymandering. No one wants to move here so matter how cheap the cost of living is. To Cupp and Hoffman, stop playing around with the lives of Ohioans and work with your Democratic colleagues to deliver fair maps in a free, fair and transparent process. The maps should reflect how we vote. Ohio deserves fair representation now!

It is past time for this committee to enact fair maps that meet the requirements set out in the state constitution and by the Supreme Court. You have already in your hands several maps drawn by outside groups (not R or D) that meet those requirements. Pick one of them and go. The Republican members of this committee are a black eye on our state. Get off your childish hang ups and get this job done. Talking about delaying this any further and pushing back primaries is ridiculous. You have several maps that meet the requirements. Choose one and stop the game playing.

It is beyond time for the GOP majority on the Ohio Redistricting Commission to stop playing games with our elections. The overwhelming majority of Ohioans voted for change in both the General Assembly and Congressional redistricting process, and yet, here we are. Follow the will of the people of the state, and not just the voices of those who want you to gerrymander Ohio in favor of Republicans for another ten years. You have a responsibility, which based upon the fact that the GOP hasn't released any maps before the hearing that was scheduled only hours before the deadline, it seems that you are once again abdicating that responsibility. I urge you to DO YOUR JOBS. Fair Districts Ohio has released a set of General Assembly maps which not only meet the Constitutional requirements, but also fairly and accurately reflect Ohio. This is your time to show the country that Ohio can rise above petty partisanship and work to serve the people of Ohio. The eyes of the nation are on you.

Soon the Ohio Redistricting Commission will convene to adopt legislative district maps. This meeting must not be a repeat of past performances. Maps that are compliant with all Constitutional requirements must be adopted without further delay.

I urge you to adopt the Rodden III maps. These maps meet all of the requirements of the voter-passed Constitutional amendments and fulfill the spirit as well as the letter of the law. They were developed by a noted political scientist who has no partisan interest in Ohio politics. Their goal is to provide the most effective representation for the people of Ohio by keeping communities together and drawing districts that combine similar populations for effective representation.

The election clock is ticking and there is no more time for partisan games. Do your duty to the citizens of Ohio and honor your oath to uphold the Constitution of the State of Ohio. Do the people's work and vote for fair maps.

Twice the voters of Ohio have passed measures to eliminate gerrymandering so there is equitable representation. I am disgusted by the actions of the GOP members on the redistricting commission. Their attempts at shoving through unacceptable maps, dragging out the process, delaying until the primary is threatened and gaslighting the public by saying they've done their best are truly appalling.
Maps that meet the constitutional guidelines have been made available. One of these maps MUST be accepted by the commission without further delay.
If our GOP legislature thinks this has been bad, wait until we pass an initiative that removes power from either party and creates an independent commission. I assure you that it is coming if this situation cannot be resolved equitably.

Honor the Ballot Measure, follow the process and make sure my vote counts. Republican leadership is an embarrassment to our State. Ohio should lead the way in encouraging and enabling Congressional districts for the both the State and our Federal Congress. It's sad that our GOP leaders will not do so.

Rep Cupp, in refusing to follow the Ballot Measure's outlined process, shames us Nationally. His unconstitutional behavior reflects poorly on him, on his Fellow legislators, and the GOP of my grandparents. Americans in OHIO deserve fair maps that ensure their voices are reflected in representation. Stop the partisan nonsense and do your job as dictated by laws passed here in Ohio by WE the people.

The key to good government is FAIR DISTRICTS! We've seen what happens when districts are too safe due to past gerrymandering.
1. The WORST BRIBES in Ohio history. Larry Householder was just the tip of the iceberg. Recent investigations have pointed to widespread involvement in the Governor's Office and the General Assembly.
2. The worst energy law EVER! HB6 is still costing Ohio ratepayers $233,000 per DAY! All to benefit 2 obsolete, dirty, uneconomic coal-fired power plants that should have been closed long ago! It's horribly unfair to the many ratepayers struggling to pay their inflated utility bills.
3. Outdated energy policies that favor fossil fuel interests and erect barriers to increased renewable energy. Over 61% of Ohioans are concerned about Climate Change and favor increased renewable energy but the General Assembly regularly votes against these concerns because of gerrymandering! No wonder Ohio is 48th in the country for renewable energy. Adopt FAIR MAPS!

To the Redistricting Commissioners,

The voters were very clear in 2015 and 2018 when they overwhelmingly passed the amendments to the Ohio Constitution laying out redistricting criteria and methods. Redistricting was to include ample opportunities for public input, be transparent and not favor one party over another.

So far, the process has been just the opposite. The Ohio Supreme Court has been very clear that taking a highly gerrymandered map and making small changes so that it's slightly less gerrymandered is not acceptable. They have clearly stated that you need to throw out the old maps and start over.

Fortunately, a coalition of individuals and non-partisan groups have been doing just that. The result is maps from the Fair District Coalition. You should start with the Fair District maps that everyone has had time and opportunity to study. Take public comments on that and you should be able to meet your deadlines and end up with truly fair maps!

Ohioans in 2018 passed a ballot initiative to end gerrymandering and called for fairer drawn districts. If the ohio legislatures map proposals are being struck down in court as unconstitutional and unfair then hire an nonpartisan commission to design them. Corrupt politicians shouldnt be drawing their own districts to retain power and suppress votes

The voters in Ohio made it clear, regardless of party affiliation, that they want fair maps. The Ohio Supreme Court struck down the gerrymandered maps that were presented. The maps should have proportionality, which has been lacking in the submissions.
By running out the clock in the hope of avoiding drawing fair maps, the Republicans have shown contempt for the voters and for the Ohio Supreme Court.
It is time to put aside the game playing, and submit maps that truly represent the voters in Ohio. Waiting until the day that the maps are due to hold a hearing is a slap in the face of the voters. It is time to do your job and submit fair maps. There have been great proposed maps that could be used for redistricting, it's time to choose one, and follow the law.

Ohioans voted to change the Ohio Constitution to end gerrymandering of both our State General Assembly and US House maps. The Republican members of the Redistricting Committee has waited until the last minute to start the process at each step. The maps have been determined to not meet the requirements of the Constitution by the Ohio Supreme Court and still the Republicans continue to stall and diminish the public's ability to see their work and provide input. We voted for fair maps, we want them and we should have them regardless of which party is in control.

The commission should follow the letter and spirit of the Constitutional amendment passed overwhelmingly by Ohio voters. We do not want gerrymandering in this state, regardless of which party it favors. I am extremely disappointed in the commission's flouting of our laws. All elected officials, but particularly Republicans, should respect the rule of law. I have been a registered Republican since I was first eligible to vote, but like the vast majority of Buckeyes, I despise gerrymandering in favor of either party.

I do not care what other states do with their redistricting process. Ohio is different, because our voters said we are different. Myself and my fellow Ohio voters rose above partisanship to amend the Constitution to avoid unfair districts. The commission should too.

Do your duty, obey the constitution and the Court's ruling, and draw fair and representative maps (with 46 legitimately Dem leaning seats in the house and 15 in the Senate). Enough games, enough delay tactics, enough gaslighting about the primary. You are not entitled to rules that rig our elections in your favor. Stop it.

Hi, most of these dunces in your comment section live in blue states and are just angry they can't rig the process. Continue the fight. After what they did in New York and Illinois nothing can be ceded to left wing sociopaths.

The fact that this commission has waited until the last possible second to produce maps from the GOP led government that are in accordance with the clear and specific guidance of the Supreme Court of Ohio is an act of malice towards and contempt for the citizens of this State that I have rarely seen elsewhere. It makes me feel like I'm in a third world country, where the laws are ignored and my rights to fair elections is seen as at best an afterthought. I shouldn't ever feel that way in America. There's no excuse for the delay. None. Pass maps that are in accordance with the directive of the Supreme Court and do it now. Stop wasting our time and money.

The GOP legislatures on this commission are incompetent. The people of Ohio demand fair maps. This should take priority over everything right now. Our elections are the foundation of this democracy. Stop puttering around and do your jobs. Do you need the Ohio Supreme Court to tell you again how to do your jobs? This isn't hard. Draw a fair map now.

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered stuff you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered stuff you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered stuff you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered stuff you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered stuff you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered crap you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered crap you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered crap you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered crap you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We, the citizens of OH, voted years ago for Fair Maps.

You, the GOP Members of this commission have flagrantly, willfully violated our rights, not once, but twice. Don't think this cheating is going unnoticed by us.

We demand Fair Maps, not gerrymandered crap you are trying to shove down our throats.

You dishonor your Oath of Office, and the Rule of Law.

GIVE US Fair Hearings, not this last minute cheating.

See you in court, again!

We voted for FAIR MAPS!! Do your jobs!

Please do your job. The fact that you have waited this long to reconvene your re-re-redistricting commission is atrocious. Get to work!

This whole process has been a sham from the start. The majority party has not negotiated in good faith nor has taken the will of Ohio voters seriously. Ohio continues to be a political laughingstock. Shame on everyone involved

I agree with my bipartisan co worker that all of the committee members should be locked in a room (as like in a jury trial) and not be able to leave until a fair map is approved. Do your job!

Please formally introduce one or both of these plans through a member of the commission:
- Ohio Citizen's Redistricting Commission's Unity Maps:
https://ohredistrict.org/unity-maps
- Petitioners' maps from Bria Bennett and League of Women Voters:
https://www.acluohio.org/en/press-releases/voting-rights-groups-submit-independent-expert-reviewed-legislative-maps-ohio

These are the most compact plans I've seen. It would be great to have them more thoroughly considered by the commission, tweaked if needed, and voted on to potentially adopt one.

This whole episode is embarrassing and should not have occurred. This state deserves better. We need a legislature that represents the people and not the party. This is has wasted so much time and money, that the party in charged should have to pay up. Stop cheating the people of OHIO.

Ohioans want fair maps! Voters should select their elected officials and not the other way around!

I just read a good number of the comments and I see a lot of partisans complaining about other partisans who happen to control the Commission. Take a look at the Constitutionally mandated makeup of the Committee. The Governor, Auditor, Secretary of State, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House are all of one party. They comprise a democratically elected majority. Should not the majority rule in our form of government? Three of these are state-wide offices, so whichever party wins the state-wide elections rules the roost! You may not like it, but that's the way it is. Majority Rule. Get over it! I encourage the commission members to do their level best and serve the people of the State of Ohio. We have a very important election coming (aren't they all) Let's get down to business.

Dear Commission Members and Staff,

I have been a resident of Lorain County for nearly 50 years. I have resided in the city of Avon in Lorain County for over 18 years since my retirement as a senior executive at the NASA Glenn Research Center. In my judgement, there are major faults in the composition of District 5 in which I would reside.

The Congressional District option I am proposing is comprised of Lorain County, Medina County and the western Cuyahoga cities and townships of Westlake, Bay Village, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, Brook Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, and Berea. This results in a district which is extremely compact and has very strong shared interests among the entities of the district. The population of the district would be well within the requirements of equity of population of districts, based on United States Supreme Court decisions. It would meet all Ohio's requirements for redistricting

As you are surely aware, the model map proposed for congressional districts by the Ohio Fair Maps organization rates high on compactness, proportionality, and competitiveness. The nonpartisan rating system, Dave's Redistricting, deems it to show negligible partisan bias. This is due to the virtues of minimal splitting of communities and following boundary lines established by existing planning organizations. As a Wood County resident, I am especially pleased with the model map because it makes great sense for our communities to be included in one district with the main metropolitan center of our region. Toledo provides shopping, health care, travel, and cultural opportunities for surrounding counties. We need a flourishing city with fair representation at the national level. With support from invested rural and exurban voters, Toledo will benefit from greater political clout, which in turn, will flow to our long-neglected corner of the state.

Take the model map as a starting point

I believe what this Columbus Dispatch writer said: use citizen-drawn maps for redistricting!
Here is his letter, in case you missed it:

"Ohio's governor has been reported saying something like he never saw legislative maps meeting all of Ohio's constitutional requirements.
I suggest that all Ohio Redistricting Commission members and staff look at the maps donated by citizens on the commission's website, redistricting.ohio.gov/maps. Many of these maps meet all the constitutional requirements.

Citizen mapmakers have an advantage over legislative staff and political consultants because their maps are not made in order to score political points. Other citizen-drawn maps are on the website of the non-partisan Fair Districts Ohio, fairdistrictsohio.org/mappingwinners.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission will save money and time using one of these maps.

Brian Campbell, Delaware

The Congressional map should keep Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties together and undivided in any way.

The Greater Youngstown area is economically and culturally linked and would benefit greatly by being kept together. With the area now being a hub for electric vehicle/component production and additive manufacturing, it is essential that we have one Representative who can help to advocate on behalf of jobs in the area.

The area is also poverty-stricken, so its essential that we get one Representative who can focus almost exclusively on the tri-county area.

The citizens of Ohio overwhelmingly voted to have an redistricting commission that would SOLVE the problems of gerrymandering and unfair maps. The current commission is only making the problem worse. It is your duty, as members of the redistricting commission, to draw FAIR maps that best represent all Ohioans, not just the Republican-voting majority. As an Ohioan and as a high school student, the lack of bipartisanship and fairness sickens me. The Republican majority in the commission needs to start acting like adults and not drawing maps to favor their party.

I implore you to draw and pass FAIR MAPS. Hold up to the task 71% of Ohioans voted for you to do.

Hello, you have been provided with numerous maps that meet all the criteria and comply with the Ohio Constitution. The maps we are asking for wouldn't even give Democrats an advantage! You can't even make the argument that we are trying to pass partisan maps because Republicans would still have a slight advantage. This is appropriate given recent voting trends. What's not appropriate is trying to give yourself an unearned advantage. Clearly you are not getting away with it so please stop wasting everyone's time.

I have specific comments on the adopted House and Senate district maps relative to the city of Avon and Lorain County where I reside.

Avon has very strong shared interests with communities such as Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, and other Lorain County communities as well as western Cuyahoga County communities. Lorain County and western Cuyahoga communities and Medina County have strong shared interests compared to Huron County where there are essential no shared interests. I believe this should be factored into the House and Senate maps.

House District 52 as adopted should be retained in its entirety. It meets all requirements and is comprised of communities with strong shared interests.

Senate District 13 would be a more effective legislative district if the communities in Huron County were replaced by communities in western Cuyahoga County or Medina County.

Gerald Barna

Dear Commission Members,
My name is Gerald Barna. I am currently in Ohio House District 57 and Ohio Senate District 13. I have been a resident of the city of Avon for 18 years since my retirement from NASA Glenn Research Center where I served as a Senior Executive. I have lived in Lorain County for over 50 years.

My focus in reviewing maps is on compactness, retaining counties, cities, and townships in their entirety where possible and meeting all the requirements specified by law. I also focus on having shared interests among the communities included in a district. I strongly believe this is critical to achieving effective representation in the General Assembly.

I have specific comments on the adopted House and Senate district maps relative to Avon and Lorain County.

Avon has very strong shared interests with communities such as Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, and other Lorain County communities as well as western Cuyahoga County communities, and Medina County. Lorain County a

Please stop resisting the legal boundaries and put a map out that is representative of regions, not political manipulation. In a time when our very lives are being manipulated by a politicized government, you have chance to support Ohioans without politics. Your jobs have been made easy, several acceptable maps have been submitted, pick one, fine tune it if you must, and put it out there. This business of needing the Supreme Court to keep you in check is a waste of time and money. Just play it straight and get it done.

Please stop resisting the legal boundaries and put a map out that is representative of regions, not political manipulation. In a time when our very lives are being manipulated by a politicized government, you have chance to support Ohioans without politics. Your jobs have been made easy, several acceptable maps have been submitted, pick one, fine tune it if you must, and put it out there. This business of needing the Supreme Court to keep you in check is a waste of time and money. Just play it straight and get it done.

6 days left till your deadline and still no scheduled meeting. Are you taking the weekend off too? The Public has questions. Are the mapmakers from both parties working together or is this a belligerent exercise of wash rinse repeat? Is your delay to schedule public meetings another ploy to create an urgency to pass another unconstitutional map at the 11th hour? You know you don't have to use all ten days right? One last Question, why is Bob Cupp still on the commission? When asked by a reporter how mapmaking will be different in light of the Ohio Supreme Court's decision, he simply responded he agreed with the "dissenting opinion". That's not a luxury a defendant has when ordered by the court to perform an act; the majority opinion rules.

When is your next meeting ? This is causing havoc with the spring elections!
Please give the citizens of Ohio a fair map. No gerrymandering.

You should be embarrassed for not scheduling public meetings on this yet. I want to see how you are serving the public. apparently its from behind closed doors again.

The people of Ohio voted and demand fair districts. We do not want out of touch elites who choose their voters. We want representatives who care about real Ohio issues and could care less about the winds blown out of D.C and their national committees. The belief in equal and fair representation is a bedrock of our democratic-republic. Do not undermine it for the interests of a select few and national party figureheads. If we had fair districts our currently legislature would not be working under a cloud of corruption due to the Ohio Nuclear bribery scandal. Do better.

The people of Ohio voted for fair districts that represent the actual make up of voters in Ohio and now the state supreme court and also backed that up - That is the rule of law in a democracy, you carry out the will of the voters. And you, the republican representatives who claim you are the rule of law party, need to stop ignoring the will of the voters and create fair districts that represent the actual make up of voters in Ohio and not the narrow power interests of your party.