Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the failure of Ohio’s Republican-led Redistricting Commission to create fair voting maps.
The Ohio Supreme Court rejected numerous state legislative and congressional maps because they gave Republicans significant advantage. Now, the state is forced to hold two separate primaries, which will cost Ohio taxpayers an additional $30 million.
Burga explained how state legislative races, among others, will not be on the May 3 Primary Election ballot. The Ohio Supreme Court will soon consider new maps for the fourth time, but the maps continue to be gerrymandered and give an overwhelming majority to Republicans, he said.
While early voting begins today, the ballot will not include Ohio State Legislative nor State Board of Education candidates, which are based on Ohio State Senate districts, Burga said. A second primary for those races will be held later in the year. The May ballot will feature Ohio Congressional candidates, as the Ohio Supreme Court is still reviewing those maps, he added.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is considering holding members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission in contempt for repeatedly failing to provide fair maps, Burga noted.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.