In a significant ruling, the Ohio Supreme Court has put an end to the legal battle over the statehouse district maps that were drawn in response to the 2020 Census. The court’s decision, which was passed by a 4-3 majority, dismisses three long-running lawsuits brought by Democratic and voting-rights groups. The ruling comes after the Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a new set of legislative maps in September, gaining bipartisan support.
The lawsuits, which aimed to challenge the constitutionality of the redrawn districts, have been dismissed by the court on the grounds that the commission’s adoption of a plan with bipartisan support renders the complaints irrelevant. This decision means that the new maps will remain in place until 2030, unless opponents file a new suit or voters pass changes to Ohio’s redistricting system.
The new GOP-drawn maps have sparked controversy, as they give Republicans an advantage in a majority of Ohio House and state Senate districts. According to the state auditor’s calculations, Republicans will have an advantage in about 62% of Ohio House districts and roughly 70% of state Senate districts, despite Ohio’s political breakdown being roughly 54% Republican and 46% Democratic.
While the court’s decision does not address the constitutional questions surrounding the maps, it has been met with criticism from the three dissenting justices, who argue that dismissing the cases hinders groups fighting against the maps from having their objections heard. Justice Jennifer Brunner, one of the dissenting justices, wrote that the majority ruling diminishes the court’s constitutional role and further delays the resolution of the case.
The Ohio Supreme Court has undergone changes since its earlier rulings against Statehouse maps, with the retirement of former Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. O’Connor is now involved in an effort to pass constitutional changes that would establish a 15-member citizen panel called the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission. This commission, composed of Republicans, Democrats, and independents, aims to replace the existing Ohio Redistricting Commission and ensure fair map-making.
The proposal to establish the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission has gained support from various groups, including Citizens Not Politicians and the League of Women Voters of Ohio. These organizations are actively gathering signatures to push for the changes and advocate for fair representation in Congress and the Ohio Statehouse.
The outcome of this legal battle and the ongoing effort to reform Ohio’s map-making system have significant implications for the state’s political landscape. As the debate over gerrymandering and fair representation continues, the Ohio Supreme Court’s ruling solidifies the current GOP advantage in the state’s district maps, while also sparking renewed calls for reform and citizen-led redistricting efforts.
