For Immediate Release
Sept. 27, 2023
COLUMBUS – After the Ohio Redistricting Commission adopted its 5th set of maps, civil rights leaders with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the Ohio Unity Coalition and the Ohio NAACP noted that the new maps diluted the political power of Black voters. They released the following statement:
“For over a year, communities of color have been living in state legislative and congressional districts separated from or combined with communities where they do not share common interests; nor have the issues of concern to these voters been addressed by the new legislator who should be representing them,” said Pierrette “Petee” Talley, petitioner and Executive Director, Ohio Unity Coalition. “By ignoring the racial impact of the new maps on these citizens, the Commission has done a grave disservice by not assuring that districts are drawn that do not disenfranchise some voters at the expense of others. This minimizes voters’ ability to elect candidates to represent their interests. We are better than this as a state, it’s time to trust citizens, not politicians.”
The new maps indicate a Republican-to-Democratic advantage of 61 to 38 in the Ohio House, and a 23 to 10 Republican advantage in the Ohio Senate.
“It is extremely frustrating that politicians are looking out for their own interests. Consequently, Black and Brown communities will end up with the short end of the stick,” said Jeniece L. Brock, Policy & Advocacy Director at the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. “These maps dilute the political power of underrepresented communities, and it is evident politicians cannot be trusted with the task of drawing fair districts. We need an independent commission absent of politicians and with an inclusive process that allows Ohioans to have fair and just representation.”
“This process was rushed and it was not representative of the needs and perspectives of communities of color, especially Black voters,” said Prentiss Haney, co-director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.
“Ohio voters have been fighting for fair and equitable maps for the last two years, and we won’t stop now,” said Tom Roberts, president of the Ohio NAACP. “Our work for fair maps and an inclusive democracy continues.”
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