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Redistricting commission holds one hearing before looming deadline

 House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), both co-chairs of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, discuss the next steps for the commission.
Andy Chow
/
Statehouse News Bureau
House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), both co-chairs of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, discuss the next steps for the commission.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission held a hearing on public proposals for a new Congressional district map. But that's about all the commission will do since the deadline for the panel to approve a new map will pass.

Several people lined up to present their proposed Congressional district maps to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, explaining why they think their plan best follows the constitutional requirements.

That includes Catherine Turcer, with the progressive-leaning group Common Cause Ohio, who says the reforms passed by voters in 2018 create guardrails to help ensure fair districts.

"As long as the state legislators actually respect that, and they might not. It is up to all of us voters to encourage them to follow the Constitution," says Turcer.

Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) says he hopes the legislature will listen to more expert opinion on mapmaking before reaching a bipartisan agreement.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.