Can you draw a better map? Commission accepts input
Want to try your hand at legislative mapmaking? The Ohio Redistricting Commission is accepting your best efforts at new maps for Statehouse and congressional districts.
On Friday, the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission tasked with drawing state House and Senate districts launched a new website: www.redistricting.ohio.gov.
The website includes details on 10 upcoming public hearings, a way to watch those hearings online, a method to submit testimony in person or in writing and a way to submit your own map. Maps must be submitted in zip file format.
“This will provide another layer of transparency and avenue of communication for the public as we continue our work through a fair redistricting process,” Speaker Bob Cupp, R-lima, said in a statement.
Advocates of fair maps have been critical of how public input has been included in the redistricting process so far. Public hearings, which start Monday, are all offered during business hours and don’t have virtual options. The website was launched a week and a half before the first state House and Senate map deadline.
The commission is tasked with drawing districts for the Ohio House and Senate. The group could be involved in drawing congressional districts if Ohio lawmakers can’t agree on a plan.
Where are the Ohio Redistricting Commission hearings?
Starting Monday, the Ohio Redistricting Commission will listen to public input on mapmaking. Here’s the list of hearings:
h Cleveland: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Student Center, Ballroom 311 (third floor).
h Youngstown: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday at Youngstown State University, 117 University Plaza, Kilcawley Center, Chestnut Room (first floor).
h Dayton: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St., Sinclair Conference Center (Building 12), Charity Auditorium (first floor).
h Cincinnati: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at University of Cincinnati, 1819 Innovation Hub, 2900 Reading Road, Room 230.
h Zanesville: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ohio University - Zanesville, 1425 Newark Road, Campus Center,
Rooms 430-431.
h Rio Grande: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rio Grande Community College, 67 Bevo Francis Way, Bob Evans Farms Hall, Room 218 (first floor).
h Lima: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Ohio State University - Lima, 4240 Campus Drive, Life Science Building, Room 100.
h Toledo: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at University of Toledo, 2110 Campus Drive Libbey Hall (first floor).
h Akron: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at University of Akron, 1200 Mill St., Quaker Station hotel ballroom.
h Mansfield: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday at Ohio State University Mansfield, 1760 University Drive, Riedl Hall, Room 151.
Fair Districts Ohio offers a $1K prize for fair Statehouse map
Fair Districts Ohio is launching a competition to see who can draw the best map of state House and Senate districts. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize, second place receives $500 and third place will get $250.
Like the Ohio Redistricting Commission, participants will be under a tight timeline. Maps must be submitted by Sept. 6 at www.fairdistrictsohio.org/ mapcompetition.
A group of educators, retired lawmakers and a former political reporter will judge the maps and how well they comply with new rules in the Ohio Constitution.
While most redistricting attention is focused on congressional maps, League of Women Voters of Ohio executive director Jen Miller says fair Statehouse districts are important, too.
“As we think about school funding or many of the programs that Ohioans care about, those decisions are made by the Ohio General Assembly,” Miller said. “We cannot have Ohio General Assembly maps that are rigged for particular candidates or partisan outcomes.“
Fair Districts Ohio will also host a competition for congressional districts with maps due Sept. 15. First prize will be awarded $750
Fair Districts Ohio is a group of good government groups including Common Cause Ohio, the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the Ohio A. Philip Randolph Institute.
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other organizations.