Compressed Time for Ohio Redistricting Process

The Statehouse News Bureau has summarized the process by which Ohio’s new legislative districts — based on the 2020 census — will be created.

Five Republicans and two Democrats sit on the panel. Governor Mike DeWine (R), Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R), Auditor Keith Faber (R), House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima), and Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) are on the panel because they occupy the offices designated by law to be part of the commission. House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) have been tapped by leaders to fill the commission’s minority seats. Cupp and Vernon Sykes will serve as co-chairs.

The commission must meet a Sept. 1 deadline for having the legislative districts drawn. There will be nine hearings throughout the state in the coming weeks so voters can weigh in.

Complicating the process is that the 2020 census data weren’t available until yesterday, August 12; these data include the population counts and demographic characteristics needed to redraw electoral district boundaries. 8/10/2021