COLUMBUS, Ohio — The League of Women Voters of Ohio responded to a letter from Ohio House Speaker Robert Cupp, R-Lima, to his fellow Republicans on Wednesday.
“Once again, they are creating these very absurd arguments about why they don’t have to respect Ohio voters,” said League of Women Voters of Ohio Executive Director Jen Miller.
What You Need To Know
- League of Women Voters of Ohio rep Jen Miller cites delay tactics
- Miller said House Speaker Robert Cupp’s letter contains ‘absurd argument’
- League of Women Voters of Ohio vows to continue pushing for voting rights
Miller said Cupp’s letter continues the trend of delay tactics.
“Speaker Cupp and President [Matt] Huffman have continued to delay, starting in 2020 by using the census as an excuse for not starting meetings or talking about technical details, blowing through deadlines that were in the Ohio Constitution, ignoring deadlines given to them by the courts,” said Miller.
In his letter released Wednesday, Cupp wrote in part: “over the past week, there has been some speculation — and of late intentional misinformation — over required next steps in this process. Out-of-state activists have peddled the myth that a deadline looms this week for the General Assembly to adopt a new map. It is false, has zero basis in fact, and either shows a lack of understanding of our legal system, or it is an attempt to intentionally sow confusion over the 2022 elections.”
Cupp’s letter also indicated Republicans won’t approve new maps for the 2024 election until at least October, if not later.
“They have never brought up in the Ohio Supreme Court any federal allegations. There is no federal case right now that is open on the congressional map. And so this is just a very absurd argument,” said Miller.
Last month the Ohio Supreme Court rejected congressional maps that were used in May, saying the lines still overly favor Republicans. According to the state Constitution, the General Assembly is required to pass a new plan within 30 days. But Cupp said the deadline described in the state constitution doesn’t start ticking until all appeals are final.
In the meantime, Miller said she and members of the League of Women Voters will continue to fight for the rights of all voters.
“We’re helping voters find their district so they can cast their ballots in the fall,” said Miller. “We’re going to continue our legal cases against the Ohio Statehouse and congressional maps. And we’re going to look at reform that truly takes creating legislative redistricting out of the hands of politicians and into the hands of everyday people.”
