We are thrilled that the process for drawing new congressional and state legislative district maps using new rules overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2015 and 2018 has begun. Time is short and the work is extremely important. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for our state to have fair districts that truly represent the people of Ohio.

As people of conscience and faith, we bear witness to the need for an open and equitable redistricting process that results in fair maps. A transparent process and fair maps are essential to the successful continuation of our democracy.

We join our voices together in this letter to ask that you ensure that you honor the human dignity of every Ohioan by ensuring that Ohio’s redistricting process is transparent, includes feedback from diverse experts and voters, and upholds the letter and spirit of the 2015 and 2018 reforms. The Ohio Redistricting Commission will LITERALLY shape our state’s future when they redraw our districts. We must place people over politics.

In Solidarity,