Ohio’s Redistricting Dispute Goes Into Extra Innings

Due to the ongoing redistricting dispute, Ohioans won’t see state House and Senate candidates on the May 3 primary ballot. But when these races will be held — and what the districts look like — is still in question.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission recently approved its fourth set of state House and Senate district maps, which are tweaked versions of earlier maps the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled unconstitutional on a 4-3 vote. (Now the court will review the latest versions of the maps, even as federal judges also look into the dispute.)

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said the commission’s latest action was a “slap in the face to Ohio voters.” In a radio interview, Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) blamed “out-of-state special interest groups” — led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder — for embarking on a “sue until they’re blue” strategy in Republican-controlled states.

Election officials say Ohio must have finalized maps by April 20 to hold a primary for state legislative races on Aug. 2 — the latest date a primary can be held.

Meanwhile, it appears the dispute over Ohio’s 15 U.S. House districts has been settled by default — at least for this year’s election — due to the Supreme Court’s schedule, Gongwer News Service reports. 3/31/2022