Ohio congressional districts must be redrawn this fall

Ohio congressional districts must be redrawn this fall

While politics is pushing redistricting efforts in other states, Ohio is under a rule of the people to change congressional maps before the midterm elections.

Thanks to a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2018, congressional districts drawn without bipartisan support from the Ohio Redistricting Commission must be redrawn every four years.

In 2020, the commission approved the maps favoring 10 Republican and five Democratic seats. According to Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, the maps for 2026 mid-erm congressional elections should make the split 8-7 in favor of the GOP.

“Ohioans deserve congressional districts that respect communities, follow constitutional guidelines, and accurately reflect voters’ political preferences,” Antonio said in a statement. “I am deeply troubled by the types of partisan power grabs we’re currently witnessing in states like Texas, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan process that puts Ohioans’ interests first.”

Answering President Donald Trump’s call to redraw maps in Texas to put more Republicans in Congress, Texas lawmakers have attempted to pass gerrymandered districts for the past two weeks.

Democrats fled the state to stop the process, but returned Monday.

The new Texas maps could potentially add five seats for Republicans in the House.

However, if Ohio lawmakers follow the voter-mandated rules, the GOP could lose two seats.

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.

The maps passed in 2020 had no minority support, which is required by the state constitution.

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.

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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square New findings published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons contradict the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, claim that surgery...
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Ahead of oral arguments over Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court, attorneys for the state...
Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska Friday in the hopes of negotiating a ceasefire or initial steps toward peace...
Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs 'lawsuit inferno' measure

Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs ‘lawsuit inferno’ measure

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In a Friday announcement of the status of 269 bills, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which...
Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House is touting a new economic analysis that estimates taxpayers will see an average $3,752 tax cut in 2026, due to provisions in...
Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It is not every day that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum join forces, but that is exactly what Lisa Everett and Brent...
Nevada superintendent says ICE won't enter schools

Nevada superintendent says ICE won’t enter schools

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The superintendent of the nation's fifth-biggest school district said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreed to not conduct raids or arrests in schools in Las...
MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With deregulation-focused Republicans in Congress reluctant to fulfill the industry-wary goals of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, some Democrats are taking up the torch....
Legislators criticize Illinois’ utility policies as ‘unsustainable’

Legislators criticize Illinois’ utility policies as ‘unsustainable’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law banning utility shutoffs during extreme heat and cold is sparking concerns over rising...
D.C. attorney general sues Trump administration, claiming 'unlawful' takeover

D.C. attorney general sues Trump administration, claiming ‘unlawful’ takeover

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Days after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” by federalizing the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploying hundreds of National Guard members to curb...
What’s on the table for Trump’s meeting with Putin?

What’s on the table for Trump’s meeting with Putin?

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square President Donald Trump is flying to Alaska on Friday for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss terms for a ceasefire in...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks with gun...
Illinois quick hits: Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served; fall semester beginning

Illinois quick hits: Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served; fall semester beginning

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served A former Chicago Public Schools student has been sentenced to five years in prison...
WCO-Landfill-8.5.25.2

Report Finding Few Trucks Littering Sparks Debate on Cleanup Responsibility

Article Summary: A Will County report found that a very small percentage of waste-hauling trucks are the source of litter on roadways near the county landfill, sparking a debate among...
Illinois quick hits: Search continues for Gibson City suspect; manufacturing declines since 2000

Illinois quick hits: Search continues for Gibson City suspect; manufacturing declines since 2000

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Search continues for Gibson City suspect Illinois State Police continue their search for a suspect wanted in connection with a Gibson...