COLUMBUS – The ACLU has filed a constitutional challenge to Ohio’s congressional map, using Republican Gov. John Kasich’s statements opposing gerrymandering as ammunition.
A suit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati challenges district maps in effect through 2020 for “an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander” that violates voters’ rights to democratically select their representatives.
The suit names Kasich, Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted and leaders of the GOP-controlled state Legislature.
Husted responded with a statement asking why did the groups waited so long to file a lawsuit challenging the maps.
“hese groups should respect the will of Ohio’s voters who overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment earlier this month that established a new, bipartisan process for drawing congressional districts starting in 2021,” he said.
Voters on May 8 approved a constitutional amendment changing the method used to draw Ohio’s congressional map.
ACLU of Ohio Legal Director Freda Levenson said the suit hits the “sweet spot” in the life of the 10-year map, because data is available to show how the maps routinely deliver 75 percent of Ohio’s congressional seats to Republicans with only about half Ohio’s votes.
Kasich’s amicus brief against gerrymandering in a federal redistricting case is cited.