No new congressional maps yet, as redistricting process heads to second phase

Ohio’s Joint Committee on Redistricting did not pass an updated and bipartisan congressional district map by the Sept. 30 deadline, which probably was of little surprise to the Buckeye State’s political observers.

However, the process is far from over, and now, it’s up to the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission to adopt a map by the end of October. Democrats and Republicans on the RepublicansORC must sign off on the map, meaning that may not happen without a Democratic defection.

Should that fail, state lawmakers have until the end of November to pass a map with a simple majority vote. However, the map must not run afoul of the Ohio Constitution’s anti-gerrymandering provisions.

Dems Pounce

Unsurprisingly, Ohio Democrats seized the opportunity to criticize Republicans for not advancing a map.

“For four years, we’ve all known this day was coming, and we have a constitutional duty to make our best faith effort to work together and pass a congressional proposal by midnight” on Tuesday, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio, D-Lakewood, said in a statement. “But instead of upholding our duty and passing a bipartisan, fair map, Republicans have refused to participate in the process and have cancelled session.

“The voice of the people must be our priority – Ohioans deserve better,” Antonio added. “I look forward to reading, considering, and discussing the majority’s redistricting proposal – whenever they might choose to share it.”

Republicans Say Not So Fast

However, Republicans seem less concerned about the deadline, saying they have not violated any legal requirements.

“Can we just basically agree there are two options here in the constitution, and not passing a map by Sept. 30 is in no way a violation of any deadline, correct?” state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, asked, per the Ohio Capital Journal.

Republicans contend there is still plenty of time to agree on a bipartisan map.

“We can agree to a bipartisan map at any time during October and November,” state Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, told Signal Ohio.

“I know that everybody wanted something done by today, but we’ve still got a couple of months and we’ve still got time to keep talking,” Bird said Tuesday, the Ohio Capital Journal reported.

The Landscape

Republicans currently hold 10 of the Buckeye State’s 15 U.S. House seats. Some within the party’s ranks have suggested that Republicans could seek to redistrict and create 12 districts that are favorable to their side.

Ohio Democrats introduced Senate Bill 259 and House Bill 442, their own version of a congressional map. Republicans are unlikely to agree with the Democrats’ proposed maps, which would likely create districts that favor eight Republicans and seven Democrats.