From Ballotpedia

Ohio
General Information
Process:	Apportionment Board for Legislative boundaries, Ohio General Assembly for Congressional boundaries
Deadline:	October 5, 2011-Legislative Only.
Total Seats to be Drawn
Congress:	16
State Senate:	33
State House:	99
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Redistricting in Ohio is carried out by the Ohio General Assembly and the Ohio Apportionment Board. The board is responsible for drawing the state's 99 State House and 33 State Senate districts. Congressional boundaries are redrawn by the General Assembly. Ohio is one of 13 states to use a hybrid approach to redistricting.

Process

Legislative

The Ohio Apportionment Board is responsible for legislative redistricting. It is comprised of the following 5 members:

• Governor
• State Auditor
• Secretary of State
• 2 members selected by the legislative leaders of the two major parties

Unlike some state redistricting commissions, Ohio's is not bi-partisan. In 2011, four of the committee's five members will be Republicans. The board held its first official meeting on August 5, 2011.^[1]

Congressional

For Congressional redistricting, both houses of the General Assembly are responsible for re-drawing the lines. There are no deadlines for congressional redistricting in Ohio.^[2] Ohio's census data must be reorganized to give census counts for each of Ohio's almost 10,000 precincts. Cleveland State University's Levin College of Urban Affairs is responsible for processing the data. CSU released the data on July 14, allowing legislators and commission members to begin redrawing Ohio's political boundaries.^[3][4]

Leadership

Redistricting taskforce

The Ohio Legislative Task Force on Redistricting, Reapportionment, and Demographic Research held its first meeting on June 16, 2011. The group will assist the General Assembly and Ohio Apportionment Board in drafting new maps. In addition to providing research support, the task force oversees funding for the Ohio redistricting process. House Speaker William Batchelder (R) and Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro (D) will co-chair the task force. Ohio Revised Code, Title 1, Chapter 103.51 provides authority for the redistricting task force.^[5]

Legislative Redistricting

2011 Apportionment Board

The members of the 2011 Ohio Apportionment Board are as follows:

• Governor John Kasich (R)
• Auditor David Yost (R)
• Secretary of State Jon Husted (R)
• Senator Tom Niehaus (R)
• Representative Armond Budish (D)

Congressional redistricting

State House Redistricting Subcommittee

House Republicans have appointed three members to the redistricting subcommittee. House Speaker William Batchelder appointed the committee's members on January 12, 2011.^[6] The committee began meeting in April.^[7]

• House Majority Floor Leader Matt Huffman, (R-Lima) Chairman
• State Rep. Courtney Combs, (R-Hamilton)
• State Rep. Mike Dovilla, (R-Berea)

The three Republicans members will be joining two Democrats:

• State Rep. Tom Letson, (D-Warren)
• State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent)^[6].

Senate Select Committee on Redistricting

The members of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting are are as follows:^[8][9]

• Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina)
• Sen. Larry Obhof Jr. (R-Montville Township)
• Sen. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton)
• Sen. Tom Sawyer (D-Akron)
• Sen. Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland)

Public Hearings

• The General Assembly's redistricting committees will hold five hearings around the state on Congressional redistricting. The complete schedule can be found here. The hearings began on July 20, 2011.

• The Ohio Apportionment Board will also hold several meetings around the state on legislative redistricting. The complete schedule can be found here. The hearings began on August 22, 2011.

Census results

Ohio was one of the biggest losers in the apportionment of Congressional seats during the 2010 Census. The Buckeye State lost 2 congressional seats leaving 16 congressional districts instead of the 18 Ohio held after the 2000 Census.^[6] Populations shifts in the state will likely favor congressional Republicans as residents move away from Democrat-heavy urban districts.^[10]

Local census data received

Ohio has received its 2010 local census data. This data will guide lawmakers as they draw new legislative districts.^[11] Although the state population showed net growth, Ohio's large cities recorded significant population loss. Of the state's five largest cities -- Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron -- only Columbus showed population growth (10.6% since 2000). Of the five, Cleveland suffered the sharpest decline, losing 17.1% its population.^[12] Even suburbs have suffered, but more distant neighborhoods showed modest growth.^[13]

Congressional redistricting

Speculation

Longtime Congressman Dennis Kucinich may see his career in Congress come to an end if redrawn congressional boundaries displace him. If Kucinich's seat is eliminated, he would be forced to either retire or run against fellow Democrat Congresswomen Betty Sutton or Marcia Fudge. The Rose Institute, a state policy think tank, confirms that Kucinich's 10th District seat is a likely target for elimination, being the second least populous district in the state. This has led Kucinich to reach out to fellow liberal activists across the nation to influence the Ohio General Assembly to keep his seat.^[6][14]

Another, and possibly more likely, strategy is to displace Betty Sutton from her District 13 congressional seat. The Washington Examiner cited her district as snake-shaped and one that could be "unpacked." The Examiner's analysis pointed out that it would very hard for Republicans to displace Kucinich.^[15] The Washington Post blog, "The Fix", has placed Sutton on its list of the 10 most vulnerable congressmen -- Kucinich did not make the list. The blog argues that Sutton's district could be easily divided among her Democratic neighbors, none of which she would fair well against in a primary.^[16] RedState also plays out another scenario in which both Kucinich and Sutton may be displaced and Marcia Fudge may represent the area Kucinich represents.^[17]

In either case, Fudge's heavily African American 11th District seems safe due to provisions of the Voting Rights Act.^[18] A new proposal has suggested that Fudge's district may be extended into a "barbell" shape to encompass minority communities in Akron. The unorthodox district may be required to preserve minority representation in the Congressional delegation.^[19]

Ultimately, it may prove difficult for Ohio Republicans to eliminate two Democratic districts via redistricting. Since the GOP controls most of Ohio congressional seats (13-5), the smaller number of Democratic districts provide less leeway for gerrymandering. While Kucinich is a likely Democratic target, freshmen Representatives Bill Johnson and Bob Gibbs may be a possible casualties for the GOP.^[20][21]

Top 10 Ranking

According to a report in the Washington Post, Ohio is one of the top 10 states to watch in the redistricting process. The reporters ranked Ohio number 7 on the list. Florida was given the distinction as the number 1 state to watch.^[22]

GOP leaders dispute speculation on Johnson

Aaron Blake, a blogger for The Washington Post suggested that the Congressman Bill Johnson's tenure could be short lived.^[23] Blake suggested that the 6th congressional district could be a victim of redistricting in 2011. Local party leaders dispute the analysis. Mark Munro, Chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party, told WYTV-TV: "For anyone to suggest that Bill Johnson's seat is being targeted for elimination as a result of re-apportionment is just ridiculous."^[23]

Columbiana County GOP Chairman Dave Johnson told WYTV: "We won a seat and I think Bill Johnson can hold this seat." The two party leaders think its too early to tell how the districts would be re-drawn. ^[23]

Kucinich eyes Washington State

Reports suggest that Congressman Dennis Kucinich may be eying the new District 10 seat in the state of Washington. Washington will gain a single US House seat as a result of the 2010 census, leaving a district open for a non-incumbent. Kucinich has frequented the state in recent months, raising suspicions that he will run for the seat. However, it is not yet clear whether Kucinich will lose his current District 10 seat in Ohio since increasing speculation suggests that Betty Sutton may be the victim. Nevertheless, Kucinich has said that he is committed to his current district, but does not yet know where he will run.^[24][25][26]

If Kucinich does swap states and win re-election, he would be the first Congressman in the nation's history to move to another state and win back-to-back elections.^[27]

Jordan risks redistricting retribution for debt vote

US Rep. Jim Jordan may be targeted in redistricting following his opposition to the recently passed debt ceiling plan. Speaker of the House John Boehner, also an Ohio Congressman, backed the bill as a compromise between the House, Senate, and President over the federal debt ceiling. In addition to his personal vote against the plan, it was discovered that a staffer for the Republican Study Committee (headed by Jordan) had emailed conservative groups to rally opposition to the bill. Jordan has since apologized for the staffer's actions, but his opposition to plan may cost him his Congressional seat. Ohio must shed two US House districts. Although Republican lawmakers control the process, it may be hard to eliminate two Democratic districts for demographic reasons. This means that Republicans may have to choose one of their own to eliminate.^[28]

At a recent redistricting meeting in Lima, Ohio, residents backed Jordan and criticized efforts to eliminate his district. One lawmaker present at the meeting described it as a "love-fest" for the embattled Congressman. Legislative redistricting committee chairs, Rep. Matt Huffman (R) and Sen. Keith Faber, have attempted to downplay the rumor. Faber argued that targeting Jordan may not even be geographically possible. ^[29]

Veto referendum may complicate redistricting

Petitioners are currently collecting signatures for a veto referendum on a recent election overhaul bill. Among many other provisions, the law moves the 2012 primary date from March to May allowing more time for Congressional redistricting. However, if petitioners succeed in collecting the required number of signatures, the bill will be put on hold until 2012 when voters will be asked to weigh in on the law. That means the primary change will not go into effect and lawmakers may find themselves on a significantly shorter redistricting timeline. If the veto referendum collects enough signatures, legislators may have to quickly pass another bill changing the primary date.^[30]

Districts 3 & 7 possible targets

According to statements from Senate President Tom Niehaus (R), state lawmakers are eyeing Districts 3 and 7 as they look for a second district to eliminate under redistricting. Although the Cleveland area will likely lose a Congressional district, it has been less clear where lawmakers will eliminate the second district required by the 2010 Census. Possible scenarios for the districts may ultimately pit US Representatives Steve Austria (R-7) and Mike Turner (R-3) against each other in a primary battle.^[31]

Republicans release redistricting proposal

On September 13, Ohio's Republican majority released its plan for the state's congressional districts. The plan eliminates two districts in the Clevland area and one in southwest Ohio. The map also creates a new district centered on Columbus. In Cleveland, the plan eliminates Betty Sutton's District, shifting her home into Jim Renacci's (R) Republican-leaning district. The plan also combines the districts of Dennis Kucinich (D) and Marcy Kaptur (D). In southwest Ohio, Mike Turner (R) and Steve Austria (R) will also be paired in a single district.^[32] A vote on the plan is expected as early as September 15.^[33]

Overall, the map is expected to significantly strengthen Republican incumbents and solidify potential swing districts in favor of the GOP.^[34] Of the state's 16 congressional districts, 12 would lean Republican under the new plan.^[35] However, if lawmakers decide against moving back the primary from March to May, redistricting legislation would need to be passed as an emergency bill. This would require a 2/3 majority vote and, thus, bipartisan support for the plan.^[36]

Meanwhile, Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting revealed the winners of its congressional redistricting competition. The winner was Mike Fortner, an Illinois state legislator interested in the redistricting process. Both maps can be seen side-by-side below:^[37]

Ohio Congressional Redistricting Proposals
This map show the GOP's proposed Ohio Congressional Districts. This map shows the redistricting contest winner. See interactive version.

House approves redistricting plan

On Thursday, September 15, the Ohio House of Representatives approved a redistricting plan for the state's congressional districts. Drawn by the state's Republican majority, the plan has incited charges of gerrymandering from Democrats. Republicans note that although Democrats were allotted state funds to produce a competing map, no map was offered. Democrats have since responded that they favor a non-political solution for redistricting. Democrats are reportedly considering a lawsuit or even a veto referendum to block the legislation. The move has worked before. In 1915, Democrats succeeded in overturning a Republican redistricting plan at the ballot box.^[1]

The Ohio House approved the plan by a 56 - 36 margin. The Ohio State Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.^[1]

Senate approves redistricting plan

On Wednesday, September 22, the Ohio State Senate approved the new congressional redistricting plan by a 24 - 7 vote. The senate amended the house-approved bill by adding $2.75 million in funds for local Boards of Elections. The funds are officially intended to help local governments implement the new maps. However, by adding the appropriation to the redistricting bill, the entire law may be immune from a veto referendum. Ordinarily, appropriations bills are not subject to referendum in Ohio. However, legal experts argue that the Ohio Supreme Court would likely hold that merely adding an appropriation to the bill does not exempt it from the proposed referendum.(See "Legal issues" below) The House of Representatives concurred with the amendment the same day.^[2][3][4]

Two African American senators crossed party lines to vote for the bill. Several African American representatives also supported the bill. The bill drew their support by preserving the minority-majority district in Cleveland and creating a new, minority-heavy district in Columbus. However, the Dayton NAACP has sharply criticized the new map for splitting the city's black population among two heavily-Republican districts -- a move the NAACP says will dilute minority voting power. The group has promised to challenge the plan in court.^[5][6]

Toledo-area officials have also been vocal in their opposition to the plan. Toledo Deputy Mayor Tom Crothers argues that the plan would make Toledo irrelevant by splitting its voters into three congressional districts. The Toledo City Council has unanimously condemned the plan. However, area Republican Sen. Mark Wagoner has argued that giving Toledo three representatives would increase the city's voice in congress. In fact, Dayton area residents have expressed opposite concerns about the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Under the new plan, it is only included in two (rather than three) congressional districts.^[2][7]

Regional concerns aside, critics have also attacked the overall partisan bent of the new plans. The Ohio Democratic Party is reportedly considering a legal challenge to the plan. However, Republican legislators defend the map. Sen. Keith Faber called the plan both "fair and balanced." Governor Kasich's spokesman has announced that the Governor intends to sign the bill. His signature is expected within days.^[8]

Governor signs plan

On Monday, September 26, Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) signed the state's congressional redistricting plan (shown above). The press release on the signing can be found here. An interactive version of the map can be found here.

Congressional compromise stalls

On November 7, a push for revised maps was shot down by Ohio Democrats. With the Republican-drawn congressional maps facing a referendum and the state facing the possibility of a 2012 election without maps, lawmakers scrambled to reach a compromised on maps before the December 7 candidate filing deadline. Due to the short timeline, any bill would have to be passed as an emergency measure and would thus require a supermajority vote. Despite overtures toward a compromise plan, Republicans were unsuccessful in gaining Democratic support.^[9][10]

Status of compromise unclear

Ohio House Minority Leader Armond Budish (D) and Representative Matt Huffman (R) are at odds over the existence of a compromise congressional redistricting plan. Budish said he believes both parties "have an agreement." Huffman, a GOP redistricting negotiator, contradicted Budish, saying that they "never reached an agreement." However, a spokesman for House Speaker William Batchelder (R) stated that he is hopeful a compromise will be reached very soon. December 7 is the filing deadline for the March primary. To avert a referendum and dual primaries a new map must be approved by that date. Democrats have until Christmas day to collect signatures for the redistricting referendum.^[11]

Compromise map approved

On December 14, Ohio legislators reached a compromise on the state's controversial congressional redistricting plan. The compromise, first proposed by Republicans last month, gained traction after concerns grew about the viability of the referendum effort against the earlier map. In addition, the compromise eliminates a second primary for congressional candidates, saving the state about $15 million.^[12]

Legislators geared the compromise bill to black Democrats by including the re-unification of several urban areas. In order to take effect before revised candidate filing deadlines, the bill had to be passed as an emergency measure by a supermajority vote. This not only allows the bill to take effect immediately, but shields the map from a veto referendum.^[12]

Despite tepid praise for the revision of urban areas, House Minority Leader Armond Budish (D) acknowledged that changes will not increase the number of districts that favor Democrats--12 of the 16 seats will still lean Republican. The revisions do seem to favor US Rep. Marcia Kaptur (D) in her likely primary battle with Dennis Kucinich (D).^[13]

Meanwhile, emails revealed in a public records request suggest that the Ohio congressional map was drawn to protect Republican incumbents. The emails show that top aides to the National Republican Congressional Committee and House Speaker John Boehner (R) shaped the map-making process. For example, an Ohio manufacturer and donor to Rep. Jim Renacci (R) was moved to Renacci's new district at the request of Boehner's aide. The emails also reveal that map-drawing was moved to a rented hotel room for three months to give the process greater privacy. The emails were obtained by the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting.^[14] The campaign's full report on the messages can be found here.

The impact of the new maps has been pronounced. US Rep. Steve Austria dropped (R) his bid for re-election after being drawn into the same districting as Rep Mike Turner (R). Democrats Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich, also drawn together, are sticking by their re-election bids. Meanwhile incumbents Betty Sutton (D) and Jim Renacci (R) are heading for a general showdown for the 16th District seat.^[15]

Ohio Congressional Redistricting Map
This map show the compromise plan ultimately adopted for Ohio's US House Districts.

Legislative redistricting

Maps to follow meetings

At its first meeting on August 4, the Ohio Apportionment Board decided not to approve tentative maps prior to the last public meeting. The committee's next voting session falls after the public hearings and just four days prior to the final plan deadline. The proposal to gather input after drafts had been adopted was introduced by Armond Budish (D). Budish argued that the decision will "work to the disadvantage of Ohio voters." A spokesperson for Gov. John Kasich (D), the Board's chair, contended that it's "infinitely more valuable to have the public engaged at the start of the process than at the 11th hour when the ink is already dry."^[1][2]

Meeting see sparse attendance

So far, the Ohio Apportionment Board's public hearings have heard from only a handful of Ohio citizens. Although the public is free to speak at the hearings, few have taken the opportunity. A meeting in Marietta drew about 18 residents with only three speaking. At a meeting in Canton, no members of the public offered testimony. Only one meeting, at which four residents spoke, has heard from more than three residents. Critics of the Board's timeline argue that more meetings should be held after draft maps are published so citizens have something to comment on.^[3]

Board adopts final plan

On September 28, the Ohio Apportionment Board gave final approval to the state's legislative redistricting plan after releasing draft maps online just two days earlier. The final plan is expected to solidify the state's Republican majority. The board passed the plan by a 4-1 vote. The board's only Democrat, Armond Budish, opposed the new maps. Budish said the map effectively "quarantines" state Democrats in 1/3 of the Ohio's legislative districts.^[4] Analysis by the Dayton Daily News suggests that only 20 of the 99 house districts are competitive and only 7 of the state's 33 senate districts are competitive. The analysis also suggests that 51 of the house districts and 17 of the senate districts favor the GOP by five points or more. House Speaker William Batchelder defended the maps, arguing that they are a fair revision of the previous plan. He also noted that the board doubled the number of districts where African Americans are the majority.^[5]

• The full plans can be found here.
• For those unable to read these file formats, the earlier pdf draft maps can be found here (house) and here (senate).
• All map submissions to the board can be found here.

Legal issues

Democrats sue to allow veto referendum

Before passing the state's congressional redistricting plan, the Republican-led Ohio General Assembly added a $2.75 million appropriation to help local Boards of Elections implement the plan. Defenders of the move say the bill should count as an appropriations bill and should be exempted from a veto referendum per the Ohio Constitution. In response, Democrats filed suit on September 28 in the Ohio Supreme Court to affirm their right to challenge the map. An earlier ruling in 2009, upheld the right of citizens to challenge a racetrack slots provision in a state budget bill. The Ohio House GOP called the suit "baseless," arguing that the appropriation was pertinent to the bill.^[6] House Speaker William Batchelder (R) says that the court should act by October 9 in order to give counties time to prepare for the election.^[7]

State rejects referendum petition

On October 12, the Ohio Secretary of State rejected preliminary signatures for a referendum against Ohio's congressional redistricting plan. Although proponents had more than enough signatures to qualify for statewide circulation, the preliminary petition was rejected because of an appropriation within the redistricting bill. Democratic officials expected the decision and argue that the move will give their pending legal challenge further merit.^[8]

• The Secretary of State's press release can be found here.

State Supreme Court OKs referendum

On October 14, the Ohio Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision allowing the referendum against Ohio's congressional redistricting maps to proceed. Despite the GOP's 6-1 advantage on the court, defenders of the Republican-drawn congressional map could not sway the justices. The Ohio Constitution prohibits referendums against "appropriations for the current expenses of the state government." However, the court found that the redistricting legislation's $2.75 million appropriation, designated for local election officials to implement the new map, does not fund current expenses and, thus, does not exempt the bill from referendum. If the referendum gathers enough signatures, the new redistricting plan will be suspended until voters weigh in. This would create significant confusion as courts and lawmakers struggle to choose a new plan as the elections approach.

Lawmakers could pass another plan, this time as an emergency measure. This would exempt the new plan from referendum but require a two-thirds supermajority. Ohio Republicans are reportedly reaching out to African-American Democrats to achieve this majority. Some members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus crossed over to support the maps originally, but still more would be needed to reach a supermajority. Meanwhile, the Ohio Democratic Party is using the threat of a referendum to pressure the GOP to make concessions in exchange for Democratic support of a redrawn map.^[9][10][11]

Ohio lawmakers are now expected to delay the presidential and congressional primaries in order to allow time for resolving congressional redistricting.^[12]

• The court's opinion in State ex rel Ohioans for Fair Districts v Husted can be found here.

Lawsuit seeks to force court-drawn maps

In other news, a lawsuit filed in October will get a hearing later this month. The lawsuit, filed by a Batavia, Ohio resident, argues that without a congressional redistricting map, 2012 elections will be unconstitutional. Moreover, the lawsuit argues that the local judge, Jerry R. McBride, should draft new plans and retain jurisdiction over future redistricting efforts. Opponents see the case as effort to "shop" for a sympathetic court and tilt any judicial redistricting efforts toward the GOP. Joseph Braun, attorney for the plaintiff, rejected this charge. Legislative leaders William Batchelder (R) and Tom Niehaus (R) have already filed documents conceding the central claims of the lawsuit.^[13]

Kasich seeks dismissal from lawsuit

On Monday, Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) asked to be dismissed from the lawsuit. Kasich argues that, as an executive, he played no role in drawing the new congressional maps.^[14]

LaTourette, Democrats weigh in on lawsuit

Congressman Steve LaTourette (R) has asked an Ohio court to impose the embattled US House redistricting plan for 2012. LaTourette intervened a suit filed by a Batavia resident which contends that the lack of a congressional redistricting plan is unconstitutional. Democrats asked that the case be dismissed, calling it premature. Dan Tokaji, a redistricting expert at the Moritz College of Law (OSU), argues that imposing the new maps would undermine the right to challenge the plan via veto referendum. Signatures for that referendum must be filed by Christmas.^[15]

Democrats challenge legislative maps

On Wednesday, January 4, Ohio Democrats filed suit against Ohio's state legislative redistricting maps. They argue that the map violates state constitutional requirements for compactness and the preservation of county and municipal boundaries. The new map splits 51 counties and 55 cities -- a sign of political gerrymandering according to Democrats. They also charges that the committee violated open meetings laws by holding secret meetings in a hotel room. Republicans note that renting the hotel room was approved by both Republican and Democratic leaders. They also contend that Democrats are attempting to disrupt 2012 elections by challenging the new maps.^[16]

• The petition in the case can be found here.

Case delayed, maps stand for 2012

The Ohio Supreme Court has decided to hear the Democratic lawsuits over the new legislative redistricting maps. However, due to the party's delay in filing the challenge, the court has ruled that the new maps will stand for the 2012 election and revisions to the maps will apply in starting in 2014.^[17]

Reform legislation

Husted calls for reform

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (R)--a member of the Ohio Apportionment Board--is calling for revisions to the state's redistricting process. He urged the newly formed Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission to take up the issue. Husted acknowledged that no system is perfect, but said reforms could help restore voter confidence.^[18]

Ohio First redistricting amendment

See also: Ohio Redistricting Amendment (2012)

The Ohio "Voters First" coalition has submitted initial signatures for a state constitutional amendment creating a non-partisan citizens redistricting commission. The 12-member commission would be drawn from around the state, while excluding donors, politicians, and lobbyists. The group must collect 386,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot.^[19][20]

Citizen activism

Draw the Line Midwest

On March 15, 2011, the Draw the Line Midwest campaign was announced. Billing itself as "the nation's first regional redistricting reform campaign organization," Draw the Line Midwest is made up of 25 reform organizations from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It is a collaboration between the Midwest Democracy Network and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School.

The groups say the campaign is a coordinated effort to depoliticize the redistricting process by pushing for transparency, public participation, and protection of minority rights. They will be proposing alternatives to legislative plans and setting up District Builder, free open-based software that will allow anyone to draw the maps. The site is expected to be up in all states by April.^[21]

Redistricting competition

The League of Women Voters, Ohio Citizen Action, and Draw the Line Ohio is sponsoring a public competition to redraw Ohio's congressional and legislative boundaries. The competition will award $5000 in cash prizes, and entries will be judged on their ability to preserve county boundaries, create compact districts, ensure representational fairness, and promote political competitiveness. The winning plans will also be submitted to the state for consideration.

Legislative winners announced

On August 24, 2011, the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting announced the winners of its legislative redistricting competition. First place went to Mike Fortner, a state representative from Illinois. Second place went to Tim Clarke, an attorney from Avon Lake. The winning maps will be submitted to the Ohio Apportionment Board. The group's Congressional redistricting competition is still ongoing.^[22][23]

• The winning maps can be found here.

Public input

The Ohio Apportionment Board will be accepting public submissions on state legislative maps. To further this end, the state is also offering free online redistricting software. Information on the software and requirements/deadlines for submission can be found on the state's redistricting website.

Deadline passes

September 9 was the deadline for public submissions to the Ohio House Redistricting Committee. The committee is responsible for redrawing the state’s congressional districts. While the deadline is not entirely firm, the lawmakers on the committee set the date to allow time for discussion of submitted plans.

Timeline

The redistricting timeline for Ohio is as follows:

Ohio 2010 Redistricting Timeline
Date	Action
December 21, 2010	State informed of number of Congressional Seats on the 2010 Census.
February 8, 2011	Special election held in current legislative districts.
March 1, 2011 [24].	Expected date to receive complete Census data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
April 1, 2011[25]	Final deadline to receive Census data.
May 3, 2011 [24].	Last municipal and city primary elections in currently drawn boundaries.
August 1, 2011	First Day Ohio Apportionment Board meets
October 1, 2011	Last day Ohio Apportionment Board meets
October 5, 2011[26].	Deadline for the Ohio Apportionment Board to have a legislative redistricting plan in place.
November 8, 2011 [24].	Last municipal and city general elections in currently drawn boundaries.
March 6, 2012	First primary elections in newly created districts.
November 2012	First general election in newly created legislative and congressional boundaries.

⁺-Tenative

2012 primary date

Although Ohio's primary date ordinarily shifts to March during presidential election years, redistricting has prompted legislators to change this process for 2012. House Bill 194, passed by the Ohio General Assembly on June 29, 2011, eliminates this shift and keeps the Ohio primary date in May of 2012. A March primary would place candidate filing deadlines in December of 2011. Lawmakers believed that a December filing deadline would not allow enough time for the state to complete redistricting and address subsequent legal challenges. On the other hand, a May primary date will likely decrease Ohio's relevance in the presidential nomination process.^[27]

With referendum threat, new law proposed

With a potential referendum against the state's congressional redistricting plan, Ohio lawmakers pushed the presidential and congressional primary back to June of 2012, leaving primaries for the State House and US Senate in March. However, state Republicans are now hoping consolidate the primaries in May of 2012. The consolidation plan had been included in an election overhaul bill, but a separate referendum will likely put that bill on hold. For the bill to take effect in time, lawmakers will require emergency approval by a supermajority vote.^[28]

Primary date settled with compromise

With the compromise congressional map approved on December 14, Ohio lawmakers also settled on a date for the state's primaries--March 6, 2012. Lawmakers had worried that a congressional plan would not be in place in time for the March primary and had considered delaying the congressional primary while retaining the March 6 presidential primary. However, this approach would have come at the considerable expense of holding a second primary election.^[29]

Ballot measures

The following measures have appeared on the Ohio ballot pertaining to redistricting.

• Ohio Redistricting Proposal, Issue 2 (1967) d
• Ohio Issue 3, Redistricting (May 1965) d

Ohio

Deviation from "Ideal Districts"

2000 Population Deviation[30]
Office		Percentage
Congressional Districts		0.00%
State House Districts		12.46%
State Senate Districts		8.81%
Under federal law, districts may vary from an 'Ideal District' by up to 10%, though the lowest number achievable is preferred. 'Ideal Districts' are computed through simple division of the number of seats for any office into the population at the time of the Census.

Constitutional explanation

Article XI of the Ohio Constitution, entitled Apportionment, consists of 15 sections which detail the redistricting process. Section 1 provides authority for the creation of an Apportionment Board.

See also

• State Legislative and Congressional Redistricting after the 2010 Census
• State-by-state redistricting procedures

External links

• Ohio Apportionment Board, ReshapeOhio.org

References

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