Ohio Approves Map Bypassing Legislature, Giving GOP 12-3

On Oct. 31, 2025, Ohio’s seven-member Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a new congressional map that would likely give Republicans a 12-3 advantage and could net the GOP up to two additional U.S. House seats; the commission is composed of five Republicans and two Democrats. The plan shifts Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s and Rep. Greg Landsman’s districts toward Republicans while modestly improving Rep. Emilia Sykes’ district. Analyses cited by critics and observers say Kaptur’s district moves several points more Republican (to roughly a +10 Trump lean in some analyses) and Landsman’s Cincinnati-based seat becomes more competitive/red, with county-level changes such as moving Van Wert into a safe GOP 4th District reinforcing Republican advantages. Because the map was adopted by the commission rather than the full Republican-led legislature, it takes effect immediately and is not subject to referendum, limiting near-term legal and political challenges. Supporters called the deal a pragmatic compromise to preserve at least three Democratic-leaning districts and avoid a risky public referendum, while critics and voter-advocacy groups denounced the closed-door process as partisan gerrymandering and provoked boos and protests at hearings.