Tag: #redistricting

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 10/22/2021) — On Wednesday, October 20th, 2021, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined its Equal Districts Coalition partners at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, for a People’s Redistricting Hearing and Rally. At the rally, fair maps advocates and community members responded to the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s disregard for their constituents’ need for fair maps and their constitutional requirements to do so.

Members of the CAIR-Ohio outreach and legal teams were present while CAIR-Ohio Community Affairs Director Whitney Siddiqi and other organizers gave remarks.

“We’re here to demand that every vote – especially those of marginalized communities like the Muslim community – have equal voting power through fair districts. We can only achieve that through a fair process. Today, we’re calling on the Ohio Redistricting Commission to release a proposed map and schedule hearings that are accessible to all Ohioans. It’s long past time to get to work,” said Siddiqi.

The fight for fair congressional districts is on in Ohio. The way our congressional districts are drawn directly impacts the voting power of the Muslim community and the next decade of U.S. politics.

CAIR-Ohio is working to ensure Ohio Muslim communities are not left out, split up, or ignored. But we need YOU to get involved and make your voice heard!

Although the Ohio Redistricting Commission has yet to meet on or propose a congressional map (disappointing but not surprising), deadlines are approaching and we need to be ready to mobilize. Click here for the full infographic.

It’s no secret that Ohio is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. In 2018, Ohio voters said enough is enough and overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment on redistricting reform. The changes were to be delivered through the 2021 redistricting cycle by way of a fair and transparent redistricting process facilitated by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

(COLUMBUS, OH 09/27/2021) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), along with coalition partners, today filed a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court against the Ohio Redistricting Commission and various state officials over the unconstitutional partisan gerrymander of the General Assembly passed on party lines by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 09/16/2021) – On Thursday, Sept. 9, Sunday, Sept. 12, and Tuesday, Sept. 14, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) and Muslim community members testified before the Ohio Redistricting Commission on proposed maps in public hearings in Columbus and Dayton.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission hosted hearings in Dayon and Columbus to solicit public testimony on proposed maps submitted through the official redistricting process. On Thursday, September 9th, majority commission members proposed maps that seriously undermine constitutional requirements that direct the commission members to create maps that reflect the voting preferences of all Ohioans. The proposed maps would provide the GOP with 66% of Ohio legislature seats, despite the fact that they receive less than 55% of the statewide vote.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 9/2/2021) – On Monday, August 23, Tuesday, August 24, and Wednesday, August 25, the Ohio Redistricting Commission held public hearings in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo. These meetings are part of a string of state-wide hearings to garner public input in the official redistricting process. CAIR-Ohio staff and Muslim community members testified in front of the commission to advocate for fair maps and proportional political representation.  

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 8/17/2021) – On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, and Saturday, August 14, 2021, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted redistricting education and mapmaking workshops at the Dayton Mercy Society and the Midpointe Library West Chester to advocate for equal districts that fairly represent the Muslim community. 

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 08/12/2021) – On Thursday, August 12, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) testified at the Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission (OCRC) Hearing for Central Ohio to advocate for fair districts that amplify the Ohio Muslim voice.

On Thursday, August 12, 2021 CAIR-Ohio participated as panelists in a Twitter Chat hosted by Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission and All In For Ohio to speak out for fair redistricting. Follow us on Twitter for the full conversation.

COLUMBUS — Today, the US Census Bureau released redistricting data to the states for the purposes of redrawing state legislative and congressional districts. The Equal Districts Coalition — a unified group of nearly 30 Ohio advocacy organizations and unions engaged in the 2021 redistricting process — is calling on Ohio’s Redistricting Commission and legislature to immediately begin the important public work necessary to produce fair, representative districts.

“No matter who we are or where we’re from, we all deserve to stand on equal footing when it comes to having a say in who represents us in the Statehouse and in Congress. For too long, Ohioans have been shut out of the political process. We finally have a chance to fix that with fair maps — but only if our process is transparent and allows all of us an equal say in how our futures are drawn,” said Jeniece Brock, Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission Vice Chair and Policy and Advocacy Director for the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 08/4/2021) – On Tuesday, July 27, Thursday, July 29, and Wednesday, August 4, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) spoke at Fair Maps Town Halls across the state. CAIR-Ohio representatives advocated for equal districts that fairly represent Muslim communities in Ohio.

Amina Wase, a CAIR-Ohio intern who lives in Centerville and is educating her community about redistricting, spoke on her perspective as a Muslim American at the Dayton Town Hall. Specifically, Wase pointed out that her fellow Muslim community members who live five minutes east of her home are not represented in the same district as her despite their shared experiences.