Redistricting in Ohio has been a complex, multifaceted, litigious marvel of line-drawing politics. Here is a timeline and some procedural background about the ongoing struggle with Ohio’s congressional redistricting, including what’s next.
In Ohio, congressional redistricting follows a multi-step process. Initially, the state legislature can adopt a new congressional district map with a three-fifths supermajority vote, comprising at least half of the minority party members. If the legislature fails to act, a seven-member commission takes over, composed of elected officials and legislative appointees. If the commission also fails, the legislature gets a second chance, requiring a three-fifths vote with one-third of the minority party. Ultimately, if all else fails, the majority party in the legislature can adopt a map, but it would only be valid for four years.
In November of 2021, the Ohio legislature approved and Governor Mike DeWine signed into law the post-2020 census congressional map. In January of 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court invalidated the state’s enacted congressional map and ordered the state legislature to redraw it. The court explained that the map “unduly favored” the GOP and broke the proportionality test in state law. The Ohio Redistricting Commission assumed responsibility for redrawing the invalidated map after the legislature failed to produce one, and voted 5-2 to approve a redrawn congressional map featuring 10 Republican and 5 Democratic seats. Because the commission adopted the map without bipartisan support, it is only valid until the 2026 election. In July 2022, a court rejected the 2nd map drawn by the commission, but the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the decision on procedural grounds. In September 2023, the plaintiffs in the case requested and received a dismissal by the court, given that the map, by law, would only be in effect for another year.
Ohio’s Republican-led General Assembly will have until September 30, 2025, to redraw the state’s new congressional map. The Ohio Redistricting Commission will intervene if the legislature fails, and has until Oct. 31 to adopt a bipartisan map.
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