To the editor:

When it comes to redistricting in Ohio, the issue is not about Democrats versus Republicans. It is about something much bigger: The health of our democracy. When political maps are unfair, it is the voters who lose, regardless of their party.

Right now, the way Ohio’s legislative and congressional districts are drawn do not reflect the actual balance of our state. In 2024, Donald Trump won 55 percent of Ohio’s vote and Senate candidate Bernie Moreno won barely over 50 percent. Yet Ohio’s congressional delegation is 67 percent Republican as is the General Assembly in Columbus. That imbalance cannot be explained by voter preference alone. It is the direct result of illegal partisan mapmaking. And it is not just unfair — it is unconstitutional under the amendments Ohio voters themselves approved.

Ohioans have already spoken on this issue. In 2015 and again in 2018, voters overwhelmingly passed constitutional amendments to ban gerrymandering and require fair maps. These reforms were supported by Democrats, Republicans and independents alike. When lawmakers ignore these rules and push through maps that clearly defy them, they are not just breaking the law, they are breaking the trust of the people and openly giving all of us the middle finger.

Why does this matter so much? Because fair maps are the foundation of accountability. In heavily gerrymandered districts, outcomes are predetermined. Politicians know they cannot be unseated, so they do not feel pressure to listen to their constituents. They only need to cater to the extremes of their own party. That leaves ordinary Ohioans with little to no influence over their representation.

Fair districts would restore competition and force candidates to earn votes from across the political spectrum. Representatives would have to listen to a broader range of voices and govern with all of their constituents in mind — not just their party base. That would lead to more balanced policymaking and less polarization, something Ohio desperately needs.

Fair maps also keep communities together. Right now, cities, counties and even neighborhoods are often split apart in ways that make no sense — except politically. This divides communities and weakens their ability to advocate for shared needs. Fair redistricting respects these communities and ensures they have a real voice in government.

Finally, this is about trust. When voters see politicians manipulating maps to guarantee outcomes, they lose faith in democracy itself. That cynicism leads to lower turnout, disengagement and anger. On the other hand, when voters believe elections are fair, they are more likely to participate and our system becomes stronger.

The solution is simple: Voters should choose their politicians, not the other way around. Ohioans have already said, loudly, clearly and repeatedly that we want fair maps. It is time for the governing Republicans in Columbus to honor that demand and put an end to their unlawful gerrymandering once and for all.

Eddie Abdalla

Chair

Jefferson County

Democratic Party