Ohio’s redistricting process is back on the table for 2025, with advocates pushing for transparency and public input.
Cleveland: Members of Fair Districts Ohio gathered outside the Rhodes State Office Tower for a meeting about redistricting in September 2023. They’re gearing up for a redraw of Ohio’s U.S. Congressional district map this year.
After voters turned down anti-gerrymandering reforms last November, the same political process will be used again. But voting rights advocates are hopeful, drawing on lessons learned from the past.
The current congressional map has been in use for four years, but it’s due for a change because it didn’t get bipartisan support when it was passed in 2022. Ohio law says maps need to be redrawn every four years without that support. If both parties agree, the maps can last for a decade.
This map is actually the second version. The first one was thrown out by the Ohio Supreme Court for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered. The second map was also deemed too partisan but was never revised because lawmakers didn’t want to be told what to do by the court.
The redistricting process has been messy, filled with lawsuits and public outcry. A ballot initiative was even proposed to take the power away from politicians in the Ohio Redistricting Commission.
Even though the recent ballot measure failed, advocates are determined to make their voices heard as the redistricting process moves forward. They believe voters still want fair district maps.
Catherine Turcer, from Common Cause Ohio, noted that everyone, regardless of how they voted, is against gerrymandering. She feels Ohioans are now more aware of how redistricting affects them, which is a step in the right direction.
With the current map in place for years, residents will have real experiences to share about how the districts work for them. Turcer believes this will help inform the new map.
As the end of September deadline approaches, advocacy groups are preparing to engage the public and talk to lawmakers to kick off the process positively.
Jen Miller, from the League of Women Voters of Ohio, emphasized the need for a transparent process that involves Ohio voters. She urged the General Assembly to start the process right away.
Meanwhile, groups are also keeping an eye on local redistricting efforts. The League of Women Voters expressed disappointment with how Cleveland City Council handled its recent ward redraw, criticizing the lack of public engagement.
It’s tough to predict how this redistricting will unfold, especially with the legislature facing tight deadlines. Still, advocates remain hopeful that Ohioans will make their voices heard.
Turcer summed it up well: “It’s like starting the whole process again,” she said. “This means good public hearings and chances for citizens to draw maps and present them to lawmakers.”
