LWV Ohio Wins Fair Maps Lawsuit

COLUMBUS – Today a three-judge panel from the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio ruled in favor of the League of Women Voters of Ohio in its redistricting case, Ohio A. Philip Randolph Institute v. Larry Householder. 

“Today’s victory ensures that voters’ voices will be restored,” said Jen Miller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio. “Ohio voters have been without fair congressional district maps since 2011, and the panel’s decision today means that they will be fairly represented in future elections.” 

The panel concluded that Ohio’s current congressional map is a “partisan gerrymander [that] was intentional and effective and that no legitimate justification accounts for its extremity.” The state will be required to create a constitutional district plan by June 14, 2019, in time for elections in 2020. 

“Today's decision to strike down these unconstitutionally gerrymandered maps gives voters confidence that they will be represented equally in 2020,” said Virginia Kase, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “This is yet another win for voters when it comes to more equal representation at the ballot box. Along with last week’s ruling in Michigan, the Ohio district court’s order shows that there are fair solutions to gerrymandered maps.”  

Voters in Ohio will have fair maps this year and a precedent for equal redistricting in 2021, after the next census.  

Contact: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | [email protected]