Ohio Supreme Court strikes down GOP-drawn congressional map
By Reid Wilson - 01/14/22 12:58 PM EST
The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday ruled against Republican-drawn congressional district map lines that would have given the GOP an overwhelming advantage in the next decade.
In a narrow 4-3 decision, the majority found that the boundary lines violated a voter-approved measure in 2018 that handed the power to draw political boundary lines to a commission, in hopes of stemming the practice of gerrymandering.
The decision comes two days after the state Supreme Court struck down legislative district lines on the same basis that the lines unduly favored one party.
“The evidence in these cases makes clear beyond all doubt that the General Assembly did not heed the clarion call sent by Ohio voters to stop political gerrymandering,” Justice Michael Donnelly wrote for the majority.
The new maps, drawn by the state legislature after the redistricting commission came to an impasse in November, were among the most aggressive attempts so far this year to redraw a state with an eye toward favoring one party. At least 12 of Ohio’s 16 congressional districts would have favored Republicans under the legislature’s map, while Democratic voters were packed into just three districts; the remaining district would have tilted narrowly toward Republicans.
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/589773-ohio-supreme-court-strikes-down-gop-drawn-congressional-map
