Ohio lawmakers are working on a new congressional map that aims to give a slight advantage to the GOP ahead of the midterm elections. Sources tell NBC News that a deal from the bipartisan redistricting commission will be revealed soon. This plan would shift two Democratic-held districts toward the Republican side, while moving one district slightly left. Overall, it would keep 10 districts leaning Republican and 2 as Democratic strongholds.
This development surprises many, especially after the redistricting commission had stalled in 2021. If they couldn’t agree, the Republican-controlled Legislature would have taken control, possibly creating a heavily gerrymandered map. To avoid this outcome, Democrats were ready to push for a statewide referendum, requiring them to gather about 250,000 signatures within 90 days—a daunting task during winter.
With a commission-approved map, Democrats dodge the worst-case scenario. A Republican proposal suggested a map where they’d control 13 out of 15 districts. Currently, Ohio’s congressional representatives include 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats. The new layout is set to make races for Democratic Representatives Greg Landsman and Marcy Kaptur more competitive, while Rep. Emilia Sykes would find her district slightly more favorable.
According to the Cook Political Report, Kaptur’s and Sykes’ districts are seen as toss-ups, while Landsman’s is rated as likely Democratic.
This redistricting comes as many states are actively reshaping their maps. After President Trump encouraged Republican states to do so, places like Texas and North Carolina have already drawn maps that benefit Republicans. Meanwhile, Democrats in Virginia are pushing to modify their redistricting commission, aiming to alter their map next year.
Recent statistics show that 48 states have undertaken redistricting in the past year, highlighting a significant trend that could shape the political landscape in 2024. With ongoing discussions and challenges in various states, redistricting remains a hot topic across the country.
For more in-depth insights into this process, you can explore an analysis from The Brookings Institution.
