Ohio GOP Likely to Push Map Gaining Seats

The Ohio Redistricting Commission’s first phase-two meeting lasted under 30 minutes and failed to produce a bipartisan congressional map. Republicans, who hold five of the commission’s seven seats, say closed-door talks continue but have not released a GOP plan; after Oct. 31 the Republican-controlled legislature may pass a map without Democratic support. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, have proposed a map that would yield eight Republican and seven Democratic seats and criticized a voided GOP rules vote that highlighted the impasse. Republicans are widely expected to seek a map that could net them two to three additional seats. Democrats are exploring a referendum to overturn any GOP-only map, which would require about 248,092 valid signatures in 90 days, and national Democrats including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries have signaled willingness to help fundraise.