All eyes in Ohio are still on redistricting as maps are still not confirmed with the May 3rd primary. When the Ohio Redistricting Commission failed to produce new General Assembly maps within their 10 day deadline as given by the Court, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor asked that Commission appear before the Court in person to explain the reason for the delay and why they should not be held in contempt. The court appearance was scheduled but is now in continuance with no date reset.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has told Boards of Elections to begin planning for the primary using the new lines as adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission on party lines on February 24th. However, plaintiffs in all three lawsuits challenging General Assembly redistricting maps have already filed objections to the third set of maps, saying the commission continues to ignore the anti-gerrymandering provisions of the Ohio Constitution and the specific guidance given to the commission by the Court. Additionally, elections officials have asked House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) to delay the primary election for all contests as many counties around the state no longer have the ability to run a successful May 3rd election, and more counties lose that ability each day that we do not have final maps and the legal descriptions we need to implement them.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission is meeting many times the week of February 28th to finalized Congressional maps and sort out General Assembly map questions. At this time, there are no confirmed maps for either.