More On The Map Flap

An extraordinary showdown…that would have brought a high-powered line-up of Ohio’s political mapmakers before justices of the Ohio Supreme Court…was continued Friday, after the state’s Republican-controlled redistricting panel delivered the court a third set of legislative maps…that its majority insists are now constitutional. The decision did not end the fight over the maps, though. The high court has given opponents until today…to file objections to the maps themselves. As we reported…the state has been here twice before, and twice the high court has invalidated the GOP drawn and supported maps. A 4-3 majority scolded the Republican-led Ohio Redistricting Commission both times…for illegally gerrymandering the lines for partisan gain…and failing to work with panel Democrats to achieve a bipartisan consensus. For now…commissioners will not be compelled to show up in person Tuesday to answer to the court. Individually and as a body, they faced contempt charges for defying a court-ordered Feb. 17 deadline for approving the maps. The plan ultimately finalized Thursday was seven days late, adding to the commission’s record of blowing nearly every deadline for its work dictated by the state’s Constitution and the courts.