The Ohio Redistricting Commission Failed to deliver New District Maps to the Supreme Court, and is now being asked to explain why it shouldn't be held in Contempt. The Ohio Supreme Court ordered the Commission to submit New Maps by Friday, after Two previous Proposals were Rejected as Unconstitutional Gerrymandering. The Members have until Noon February 23 to explain why they should Not be found in Contempt for Failure to comply with the Court's Order. "We are dangerously close to possibly violating federal law," Ohio Secretary of State, Frank LaRose said.
Since September 2021, the Commission passed Two sets of Maps that were found Unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court. The Maps were passed on a 5-2 Vote with the Republican Majority. "We have an obligation to follow the Ohio Constitution, whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not. And three, we have an obligation to produce a map." Governor Mike DeWine (R) said.
Senate President Matt Huffman (R-12th District, Lima) said the Court's Order was impossible. GOP Members said the Democrats' Map was Racially Gerrymandered and said they couldn't come up with a Solution. "No General Assembly district plan has been presented to date that achieves a strictly proportional 54-46 result without committing significant other violations of the Ohio Constitution," Huffman said.
If the Commission doesn't come up with a Map soon, the Ohio Board of Elections will have to push the State's May Primary date back. "We don't want to see the primary date move. But what's even worse is having an election that leaves the door open to fraud or causes a scenario where not every voice can be heard or create a level of chaos at our Board of Elections." LaRose said.
The Brennan Center for Justice and Co-Counsel filed aMmotion Friday asking the Supreme Court to Enforce its Order of the Commission "to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of court, with appropriate remedies to follow." The Brennan Center is a Nonpartisan Law and Policy Institute that focuses on: Democracy, Criminal Justice, and the Balance of Power. It has been working with Ohio Petitioners since September 2021 Challenging the Commission's Legislative Maps.
"For the third time, the Ohio Redistricting Commission has shown its indifference to the Ohio Constitution and the Ohio Supreme Court," said Alicia Bannon, Director of the Judiciary Program at the Brennan Center, in a Statement. "The court's orders have been clear: produce fair and proportional legislative maps. The commissioners have an obligation to the court and the people of Ohio to explain why they are abdicating their responsibility to ensure fair representation for all Ohioans."
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