GOP-Controlled Commission Takes Over Ohio Redistricting

Ohio lawmakers missed the Sept. 30 deadline to pass a bipartisan congressional map, so the GOP-controlled Ohio Redistricting Commission now has until Oct. 31 to approve a plan. Democrats submitted a map that would produce an 8‑Republican, 7‑Democrat delegation based on recent federal voting, while Republicans have not yet released a counterproposal and some GOP leaders have signaled they want as many as 12 Republican-leaning districts. Lawmakers, public witnesses and Democrats accused Republican leaders of stalling to limit scrutiny and push a partisan map, drawing comparisons to the 2021 cycle. The commission must win approval from at least four members, including two Democrats, by Oct. 31 or the process returns to the legislature with a Nov. 30 deadline when lawmakers could pass a map by simple majority (a map passed that way would have to be replaced after six years). With no GOP map disclosed and strong public concern about fairness and transparency, the outcome now hinges on the commission’s actions and potential legal and political challenges.