Reproductive rights groups file a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 157, recently passed legislation that would allow the Department of Health to revoke ambulatory surgical licenses and threatens to shut down procedural abortion services in Southwest Ohio.

Voting rights groups filed a motion for stay in a federal lawsuit filed on Friday morning, Michael Gonidakis v. Ohio Redistricting Commission. The voting rights groups request that the Court stay this case pending the Commission’s map drawing and all proceedings before the Ohio Supreme Court.

The League of Women Voters of Ohio petitioners submitted a constitutionally-compliant congressional plan to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, and written testimony explaining the methods used in creating this map was submitted today by Freda Levenson, counsel for the petitioners.

The ACLU of Ohio filed a motion for explanation with the Ohio Supreme Court, requesting that the Ohio Redistricting Commission explain their failure to comply with the Court’s February 7 order, which directed the Commission to submit a revised plan for Ohio’s legislative districts.

Two groups of petitioners who successfully sued twice and had the previous commission plans struck down, submitted a constitutionally-compliant legislative plan to the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

In a 4-3 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court majority struck down the revised Ohio House and Senate maps as unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders, and ordered the Ohio Redistricting Commission to begin the process for a third time, and to comply with the requirements of the Ohio Constitution.

An Ohio judge granted a second preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of Senate Bill 27, a law that requires embryonic and fetal tissue from procedural abortions be cremated or interred.