Proposed congressional maps combine Dayton, Xenia, Springfield

MIAMI VALLEY — Dayton, Springfield and Xenia could be included in the same Congressional district under a proposal introduced at the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday. It would be a big change from the existing Congressional map.

The current 10th Congressional District, represented by long-time Miami Valley Congressman Mike Turner, R-Dayton, includes Montgomery and Greene Counties, with Dayton and Xenia , and then extends further east to Fayette County. Springfield is currently in the 8th Congressional District, represented by Warren Davidson, R-Troy.

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The new proposal, introduced Wednesday by Senate Democrats, would create a new 9th District, including all of Montgomery County, the northern half of Greene County and the southern portion of Clark County. Sen. Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, co-sponsor of the bill, said in a written statement, “The plan we are introducing today is fair, keeps communities together and doesn’t gerrymander our state.”

Under the Democrat’s new district map, current Congressman Warren Davidson would be forced into a district that would run from Miami County north to Toledo. Another Republican, Bob Latta of Bowling Green, currently represents much of the northwest corner of the state. To the south, the proposed map would establish a new district to include Preble, Butler, Warren and Clinton Counties.

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Redrawing of Congressional boundaries is required every ten years after the US Census. State lawmakers have the responsibility of making a new map. Their first deadline to produce a map that meets constitutional requirements is September 30th.

Majority Republicans have not released their map yet. If lawmakers fail to pass a plan on time the duty falls to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, which recently produced a plan for Ohio House and Senate districts. So far three lawsuits have been filed challenging the constitutionality of the plan.

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