Search for fair and accurate district maps continues to stall

Ohio's Redistricting Commission is, again, gearing up to redraw the state's congressional map — ahead of the 2026 elections; and meant to stand for the next three elections. Voters already voiced their preference against one proposed redistricting reform measure last year. Gov. Mike DeWine's idea for a different model has also been ignored. And so we are back where we started — recall that the redistricting commission essentially refused to do its job last time it was asked, caring little for the obviousness of their intent. First, of course, the Republican supermajority in the Ohio Legislature will get a chance to draw new maps. But the Republicans also hold five of the seven seats on the redistricting commission and six of the seven seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Few are even pretending the new districts won't intentionally be drawn in a way that benefits one political party, despite voters' clear directive against gerrymandering back in 2018. "The nation may turn its focus to Ohio because the U.S. House of Representatives is so close," Republican strategist Mark Weaver told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "It's likely that there will be at least one more Republican from Ohio in the House of Representatives come 2027 when the new Congress takes the oath. It could be two." State House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, is among those at least trying to keep up appearances, as his spokesperson told the Enquirer "The speaker is focused on delivering a durable outcome for Ohio, not on meeting external expectations." Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to draw a map that is approved by three-fifths of lawmakers in each chamber and half of Democrats. Given the likelihood the map they draw will not meet those criteria, the Ohio Redistricting Commission will then have until Oct. 31 to pass a map, which lawmakers would have to approve, and then DeWine would have to sign. The whole process is supposed to be finished by Nov. 30. Politicians in Columbus understand gerrymandering got them the power they have, and tweaking districts further in their favor will not only help them keep it but grow it. Are there enough lawmakers willing to ignore those "external expectations" from Washington, D.C.? Are there enough willing to fulfill their responsibility to draw fair and accurate district maps in service to their constituents, rather than to serve themselves and whoever they are trying to impress in The Swamp? It is truly a shame that, at least before the process gets under way, the answer seems to be "no." Ogden Newspapers