Ohio Legislative Maps Deemed Unconstitutional Again

COLUMBUS, OH — For the second time this year, proposed Ohio legislative redistricting maps were deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The maps violated the state constitution's prohibition against partisan gerrymandering, according to the court's majority. The Ohio Redistricting Commission will now return to the drawing board for a third in an attempt to craft more equitable districts. The new plan must be submitted by Feb. 17. The Court ruled that Ohio's primaries, scheduled for May 3, could be moved by the General Assembly to allow more time for fair map making.

“The court was not taken in by the commission’s sleight of hand. The second maps, like the first ones, show partisan gerrymandering, which is against the law in Ohio, thanks to the voters,” said Patrick Yingling, partner at Reed Smith, which represented the petitioners. “Ohioans deserve district lines drawn with fairness as the top priority, not party control.”

The proposed maps still disproportionately favored the Republican party, the majority of justices said in the 4-3 decision. The maps should reflect the past decade of Ohio voting history, with preferences splitting 54 percent Republican and 46 percent Democrat, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

The proposed maps would have given Republicans a 57-42 advantage in the Ohio House and a 20-13 advantage in the Ohio Senate.

"Ohio’s voters, candidates and election system now face a constitutional crisis and election system chaos. Candidates have no specific direction regarding the districts for their campaigns and voters face the uncertainty of additional court ordered gerrymandering," said Ohio Senate GOP Spokesperson John Fortney on Twitter.

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo argued that the Court's decision was a "vindication" for Ohio voters who had worked to enshrine anti-gerrymandering laws.

“The people have been vindicated once again with this decision. I am especially grateful to the Ohioans who worked to enshrine fair districts in our constitution. This decision affirms that it is possible to draw fair, constitutional maps that closely reflect the statewide voting preferences of Ohioans," Russo said.

Russo added that she wants Republicans to "work in good faith" to produce maps that meet constitutional requirements.