With just over a week left before its deadline to pass congressional maps, the Ohio Redistricting Commission has done nothing publicly to meet that goal.
That means mapmaking will likely fall to Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature to draw lines by the end of November. A key Republican member of the commission, Senate President Matt Huffman, said Wednesday that passing a map through the Legislature would be easier.
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Democrats are blaming Republicans who control five of the seven seats on the Ohio Redistricting Commission for delays. Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, has sent two letters to co-chair Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, requesting meetings.
"The public expects an open process with the opportunity to offer input and suggestions about how to draw maps that represent all Ohioans," Sykes wrote.
Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, is blaming lawsuits challenging state House and Senate maps that would give Republicans a veto-proof majority. He and fellow commission members were being deposed so the Ohio Supreme Court can decide whether the maps pass constitutional muster.
"I think we aspired to get it done in the redistricting commission," Huffman said. "Frankly, the problem right now is we've taken this week and much of last week for litigation over the GA (General Assembly) maps."
More:'A flagrant violation of the Ohio Constitution:' Lawsuit challenges 4-year Statehouse maps
Jen Miller, whose League of Women Voters of Ohio is suing over the Statehouse maps, had a suggestion: "It’s super easy to avoid lawsuits just by following the Constitution."
The Ohio Redistricting Commission has no meetings set to review maps proposed by Ohioans or fellow members of the commission. They have no dates set to collect input from Ohioans on proposals. The Ohio Constitution set an Oct. 31 deadline for the commission to approve a map.
Huffman told reporters that he's more optimistic that Ohio lawmakers can reach a 10-year map than the commission.
The rules are different: the commission needs four votes in favor, including both Democratic members, to enact a 10-year map.
Ohio lawmakers need 60% of all members and 33% of Democrats in each chamber to pass a 10-year map. That means getting approval from three Democratic senators and 12 Democratic representatives instead of both Sen. Sykes and House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes.
"I think that's easier to do to get a 10-year map than what we just went through with the commission," Huffman said.
To pass a four-year map, Republicans need only a majority vote, which they enjoy in both chambers. They would need to explain how their map meets voter-approved changes to ensure maps do not favor one party.
Congressional maps must be more precise, population-wise, than state House and Senate maps.
"We're going to strive for population equivalency because like this ongoing issue, there is going to be a lawsuit, and it is going to be one more reason for a map to get thrown out if we don't have it," Huffman said Wednesday.
Gov. Mike DeWine's spokesman had no comment on the commission's progress but said the Republican governor was keeping in touch with members.
More:Ohio lawmakers likely to miss first congressional redistricting deadline
Meanwhile, those who worked to pass the 2018 ballot initiative are disappointed and frustrated by the efforts thus far.
“It’s utterly shocking that the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio Redistricting Commission continue to disrespect our state constitution and Ohio voters," Miller said. “Clearly mapmakers cannot look past their own personal, partisan interests and so this will likely end up before the Ohio Supreme Court, back on the ballot or both.”
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
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