Ohio redistricting committee running out of time

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(The Center Square) – Republicans who control the Ohio General Assembly admit there is little chance new congressional districts will be passed by the Sept. 30 deadline.

Republicans failed to pass maps presented by Democrats in the first hearing of the Joint Committee on Redistricting, and a second meeting is scheduled next week.

But without two hearings and bipartisan support for maps, the task will head to the Republican majority Ohio Redistricting Commission.

“We’re challenged to pass a bipartisan map by the end of September, obviously that’s not going to happen, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to continue to work, talk, listen to Ohioans, work with the Democratic Party,” said Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, cochairman of the committee.

Republicans hold 10 of the state’s 15 congressional seats, but the state’s constitution mandates that congressional maps match voters' preferences over the last decade.

In the last 10 years, Ohioans have voted 54% for Republicans in federal elections. Based on the state constitution, congressional districts should be split 8-7 in favor of the GOP.

“The people of Ohio deserve representatives who put constitutional requirements and fair representation ahead of partisan considerations,” said Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus. "This isn't about gaming the system; it's about creating districts that mirror the political reality of our state. Our Democratic proposal demonstrates that such an approach is not only possible, but practical and beneficial for all Ohioans.”

The General Assembly can pass new maps by the end of September, with a two-thirds vote in each chamber, which includes half of the Democrats. If that doesn’t work, the commission must adopt a plan by Oct. 31 that has the support of both Democrats on the commission.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission is made up of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, Senate president and House speaker – all Republicans, along with the Senate and House minority leaders.

If the commission fails, the General Assembly can try again and must pass new maps by Nov. 30. Those maps can pass with a simple majority but must comply with the constitution's anti-gerrymandering provisions.

Those rules include that no plan can favor or disfavor one political party and districts must resemble voting percentages from the last 10 years in statewide and federal elections.

Democrats believe Republicans are running out the clock to pass maps with a larger GOP advantage and no Democrat support, which could lead to another court challenge.

“This committee was a complete dog and pony show and a huge waste of time and taxpayer dollars,” DeMora said. “Everyone in the room, from those who testified to the people on the committee, knew that the Republicans weren’t listening to a word that was said, and that they would continue to draw an illegal, b------- map behind closed doors, where the public will have no say. It is a complete disgrace and a mockery of the concept of democracy.”