ohio redistricting commission
DeWine once said he’d let the courts decide. Now, maybe not so much
Just after he signed a bill dramatically restricting abortion on April 11, 2019, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine expressed great respect for the courts and the rule of law. But more than three years later — in a case involving Republican gerrymandering — DeWine’s staff seems to be saying he doesn’t have to listen to the […]
Another redistricting deadline coming up, no action expected from Ohio legislature
As the deadline approaches for the Ohio General Assembly to redraw congressional district maps ordered by the Ohio Supreme Court, it seems no action is planned. The state’s highest court struck down the map for congressional voting districts in the state on July 19, giving the GA 30 days to draw a map that wasn’t […]
Ohio Supreme Court strikes down congressional maps for second time
For the second time, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected a map for congressional districts in the state. The court ruled that the map violated the constitution by favoring one political party over another irrespective of election results across the state. “We hold that the March 2 plan unduly favors the Republican Party and disfavors the […]
No changes planned for state board of education districts, despite redistricting changes
Gov. Mike DeWine has no plans to change the state Board of Education district lines, despite several changes to the state’s redistricting landscape since the board districts were assigned. Last January, DeWine assigned districts to the members of the board after legislative redistricting maps had been approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. He was given […]
Only one appeal filed in federal redistricting case
A single appeal was filed in the federal redistricting case that deemed an unconstitutional map as the official map for the general election in November. But that appeal is to an issue that was folded into the original lawsuit, accusing the Ohio Redistricting Commission of discriminating against voters of color when they decided not to […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission co-chair declines to adopt legislative maps
The Republican co-chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission declined his fellow co-chairs invitation to adopt a new legislative redistricting plan, as was ordered by the Ohio Supreme Court. The letter from state Rep. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Twp., to state Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, went on to declare the the Ohio Constitution dictates “when and how […]
Deadline for new redistricting plan comes without action
The Ohio Supreme Court gave the Ohio Redistricting Commission until Friday to adopt a new legislative plan for the sixth time. No meetings were scheduled, and no maps have been seen or publicly announced. As of Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the House Republicans said “nothing has been decided.” Commission rules state that 24-hours notice […]
Local election workers tell secretary of state they can’t be ‘complicit in illegitimate elections’
A group of election precinct officials have sent a letter to the Ohio Secretary of State say they “cannot defend democracy” when the Ohio Redistricting Commission, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, aren’t doing the same, they say. Election workers in 23 counties signed on to a letter asking the commission and LaRose to heed […]
GOP redistricting commissioners have broken the Ohio Constitution and rule of law
“If courts don’t uphold the rule of law,” tweeted former Ohio Democratic Party chairman David Pepper, “there is no rule of law.” Last week the Ohio Supreme Court proved him right. The Republican members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission — tasked with drawing fair legislative districts maps — openly defied the court and violated the […]
Federal court implements Statehouse maps twice declared unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court
A federal district court, in a 2-1 decision Friday, implemented Ohio state Senate and House district maps for the 2022 election that have twice been declared unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders by the Ohio Supreme Court. Also in a 2-1 decision, in April, the judges representing the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern […]
Voting rights groups ask federal court to delay implementing maps in light of Ohio Supreme Court decision
The ACLU of Ohio filed a motion Friday asking a federal court to delay its deadline for it implementing Ohio House and Senate district maps for 2022 that have now twice been declared unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders by the Ohio Supreme Court. In a 2-1 decision in April, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District […]
Attorney general candidate files criminal complaint against Ohio GOP redistricting commissioners
Democratic state Rep. Jeff Crossman announced Thursday his filing of a criminal complaint asking the Ohio State Highway Patrol to investigate Republican members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission for dereliction of duty. Crossman, the Democratic nominee for attorney general this November, said the GOP commissioners had “recklessly failed to perform a duty expressly imposed by […]