Ohio Lawmakers Miss Congressional Redistricting Deadline, Commission Expected to Take Over

Ohio lawmakers missed their first deadline for passing a bipartisan congressional redistricting map, pushing the responsibility to the Ohio Redistricting Commission with a new target date of October 31. Republicans, who dominate the state legislature, have yet to present their own map, while Democrats proposed a map favoring Republicans with eight seats compared to the current 10. The Republican leadership aims to maintain or increase their majority, with some arguing that fairness should consider rural areas, which lean Republican, versus urban Democratic strongholds. Public testimony has expressed frustration over gerrymandering and the lack of transparency, with community members and Democrats urging Republicans to produce a map. The Ohio Constitution requires a 60% majority to pass a plan by the initial deadline, which was unmet, leading to the commission's involvement; if no agreement is reached by October 31, the legislature will have a final chance with a November 30 deadline but under stricter rules. The ongoing dispute highlights the deep partisan divides and strategic maneuvering over congressional district boundaries in Ohio, a key battleground for U.S. House control.