Statement from Eric Holder on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Decision to Strike Down Gerrymandered Congressional Map

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Brooke Lillard
lillard@redistrictingaction.org

Washington, D.C. – Today, Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States, released the following statement in response to the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in a case supported by the National Redistricting Action Fund (NRAF), the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), striking down the state’s new congressional map:

“The Ohio Supreme Court’s decision is a testament to the importance of the reform enshrined in the state constitution that was supported by more than two thirds of the voters just four years ago. It is also a testament to the activists, who for years fought tirelessly to hold politicians accountable and ensure Ohioans would never again be represented by politicians who do not reflect the communities they are supposed to serve. 

“Let’s be clear: Ohio Republicans purposefully drew gerrymandered maps in spite of redistricting reforms – and they did so because they thought they could get away with it. But they underestimated our preparedness and our tenacity. It took every tool available to fight against this egregious power grab, from grassroots engagement to years of planning and preparation, to arguing before an engaged state supreme court. Republicans underestimated the will of the people and the strength of the reforms, and in the end democracy has prevailed. We will continue to be involved in the process as it continues. 

“This week’s two decisions by the Ohio Supreme Court also serve as powerful examples for why the United States Senate must pass the Freedom to Vote Act. Ohio’s constitutional reforms show the power and effectiveness of the law by providing a recourse to the people and a check on politicians who attempt to gerrymander maps.”

In 2015 and 2018, Ohioans overwhelmingly passed state legislative and congressional redistricting reform measures with an intent to ensure transparency in map-drawing, ample public input opportunities, and fair maps. Today, the Ohio Supreme Court held that the congressional plan is “invalid in its entirety” as a partisan gerrymander that unduly favors the Republican Party and disfavors the Democratic Party, a violation of Article XIX, Section 1(C)(3)(a) of the Ohio Constitution. It also held that the map unduly splits Hamilton, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties in violation of Section 1(C)(3)(b). Finding the violations “extend[] from one end of the state to the other,” the court ordered the Ohio General Assembly to go back to the drawing board to adopt a congressional district plan that complies with the new constitutional rules and restrictions. The General Assembly has 30 days to pass that new plan. If the General Assembly is unable to pass a plan by that deadline, the Ohio Redistricting Commission will then have 30 days to produce a plan that complies with the state’s new redistricting rules. The full decision is available here. 

Today’s decision follows the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision earlier this week to strike down the enacted gerrymandered state legislative maps. You can read more about that decision here. 

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