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No meetings, no map mean Ohio Redistricting Commission could punt mapmaking to
lawmakers





NO MEETINGS, NO MAP MEAN OHIO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION COULD PUNT MAPMAKING TO
LAWMAKERS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Jessie Balmert   | Cincinnati Enquirer


With just over a week left before its deadline to pass congressional maps,
the Ohio Redistricting Commission has done nothing publicly to meet that goal.



That means mapmaking will likely fall to Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature to
draw lines by the end of November. A key Republican member of the commission,
Senate President Matt Huffman, said Wednesday that passing a map through the
Legislature would be easier. 

Ohio congressional redistricting: Will new rules curb gerrymandering?

Democrats are blaming Republicans who control five of the seven seats on the
Ohio Redistricting Commission for delays. Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, has sent
two letters to co-chair Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, requesting meetings. 

"The public expects an open process with the opportunity to offer input and
suggestions about how to draw maps that represent all Ohioans," Sykes wrote. 



Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, has called for a commission
meeting, saying in early October: "Let’s get to work."



Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, is blaming lawsuits challenging state
House and Senate maps that would give Republicans a veto-proof majority. He and
fellow commission members were being deposed so the Ohio Supreme Court can
decide whether the maps pass constitutional muster. 

"I think we aspired to get it done in the redistricting commission," Huffman
said. "Frankly, the problem right now is we've taken this week and much of last
week for litigation over the GA (General Assembly) maps."



Redistricting in Ohio: 'A flagrant violation of the Ohio Constitution:' Lawsuit
challenges 4-year Statehouse maps



Jen Miller, whose League of Women Voters of Ohio is suing over the Statehouse
maps, had a suggestion: "It’s super easy to avoid lawsuits just by following the
constitution."

The Ohio Redistricting Commission has no meetings set to review maps proposed by
Ohioans or fellow members of the commission. They have no dates set to collect
input from Ohioans on proposals. The Ohio Constitution set an Oct. 31 deadline
for the commission to approve a map.

Huffman told reporters that he's more optimistic that Ohio lawmakers can reach a
10-year map than the commission.

The rules are different: the commission needs four votes in favor, including
both Democratic members, to enact a 10-year map.



Ohio lawmakers need 60% of all members and 33% of Democrats in each chamber to
pass a 10-year map. That means getting approval from three Democratic senators
and 12 Democratic representatives instead of both Sen. Sykes and House Minority
Leader Emilia Sykes.

"I think that's easier to do to get a 10-year map than what we just went through
with the commission," Huffman said.

To pass a four-year map, Republicans need only a majority vote, which they enjoy
in both chambers. They would need to explain how their map meets voter-approved
changes to ensure maps do not favor one party.

Congressional maps must be more precise, population-wise, than state House and
Senate maps. 

"We're going to strive for population equivalency because like this ongoing
issue, there is going to be a lawsuit, and it is going to be one more reason for
a map to get thrown out if we don't have it," Huffman said Wednesday. 




Gov. Mike DeWine's spokesman had no comment on the commission's progress but
said the Republican governor was keeping in touch with members.

Redistricting in Ohio:Lawmakers likely to miss first congressional redistricting
deadline

Meanwhile, those who worked to pass the 2018 ballot initiative are disappointed
and frustrated by the efforts thus far. 

“It’s utterly shocking that the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio Redistricting
Commission continue to disrespect our state constitution and Ohio voters,"
Miller said. “Clearly mapmakers cannot look past their own personal, partisan
interests and so this will likely end up before the Ohio Supreme Court, back on
the ballot or both.”

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves
the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other
affiliated news organizations across Ohio.


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