The Map Flap Continues

Is Ohio’s new congressional map unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans who controlled the mapmaking process? That’s the question being argued today before the Ohio Supreme Court. At issue is the new map, showing boundaries for 15 U.S. House districts Ohio was allotted by the 2020 census, down from the current 16 due to lagging population. As COVID-19 surges again, justices plan to hear from attorneys over video. Two lawsuits on behalf of Ohio voters contend it’s indisputable that the map “‘unduly’ favors the Republican Party.” The suits are being brought by the National Democratic Redistricting Commission’s legal arm, as well as the Ohio offices of the League of Women Voters and the A. Philip Randolph Institute. The groups surmise…the map includes 13 Republican districts…10 safe seats and three “arguably competitive” ones that also favor the GOP…and only two safe Democratic districts. That’s 67% of seats for Republicans, despite their candidates receiving only about 54% of votes in statewide races over the past decade, the suit claims. Republicans have called the map constitutional, fair and competitive.