Ohio Approves Map Bypassing Legislature, Giving GOP 12-3

Ohio’s seven-member Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a new congressional map on Oct. 31, 2025 to meet a constitutional deadline. The bipartisan deal produces a map that gives Republicans a 12-3 advantage and could net the GOP up to two additional U.S. House seats by making Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s and Rep. Greg Landsman’s districts redder while modestly improving Rep. Emilia Sykes’ district. The commission’s approval allows the plan to take effect immediately rather than pass to the Republican-led legislature, insulating it from a likely 2026 referendum or additional challenges. Democratic commissioners defended the compromise as the best way to preserve at least three Democratic-running districts and avoid a risky public referendum, while critics and voter-advocacy groups denounced the secretive, behind-closed-doors process as partisan gerrymandering. Onlookers jeered at hearings as supporters argued the lines reflect geographic clustering of Democratic voters and create stronger GOP opportunities across most districts.