Ohio Republicans plow ahead with go-it-alone redistricting -- despite gerrymandering limits

[American Interregnum]

Source: Politico

By BRITTANY GIBSON
11/18/2021 04:30 AM EST

Ohio voters in 2018 overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that put guardrails on state legislators ahead of the next redistricting. But now that Republicans in Columbus are working to finalize a new congressional map this week, they’re essentially ignoring those limits.

The constitutional amendment passed three years ago gave state legislators a choice: Pass new district lines that earn support from both parties, and they will stand for the full decade. If the map passes on a party-line vote, it will only be in effect for the next two elections and need to be replaced in four years.

The goal of the amendment was to encourage lawmakers in both parties to work together in redistricting and produce maps that reflect the state’s political orientation. But the GOP, which controls every lever of state government in Ohio, is instead moving at break-neck speed on congressional lines that could favor the party in 13 of its 15 districts.

Without any Democratic support, this map will only be allowed to be used for four years as opposed to the usual 10 years because of one of the new reforms. Brown, the top Democrat on the state House committee, said he believes Republicans might have been OK with using that loophole all along.

That’s because they redrew the state legislative lines using the same process: A party-line vote that, combined with the state’s political orientation — an increasing Republican lean, though still competitive — will likely keep the GOP in charge come 2025.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/18/ohio-gerrymandering-redistricting-republicans-522922

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Republicans: The Law & Order Party. Except for actual elections, of course.

[FBaggins]

3. OH was one of the first lawsuits on Elias's list

I doubt that it will take long to add the congressional lines to that effort if he hasn't already.

But don't hold your breath. The state supreme court and the federal circuit are both stacked against him.

[FBaggins]

2. If it matches the senate proposal...

... OH will go from 12-4 red to 13-2. Marcey Kaptur and Tim Ryan are likely victims (though Ryan is running for senate)

[modrepub]

4. Self Defense

Put in measures to limit the transfer of tax revenues from the (tax revenue) producing areas to the non (tax producing) producing areas. Economic activity (tax revenues) are mostly concentrated in the democratic controlled areas. Requiring folks provide some type of match for federal funding will also help. Most rural areas will forgo federal matching money because they won't raise taxes to get matches.

Keep taxes local and let the rural areas pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Practice what you preach.

[Escurumbele]

6. Just imagine for a moment if republicans used that energy and effort for the good of the country

Imagine all that could be accomplished...instead they are like cockroaches destroying everything in their path, but diligently destroying, there is no stopping, they are full of energy for the bad...what a waste. People would really love them if they used that energy to do good.

[maxsolomon]

7. Power is its own reward.

That is what the GQP is about, and nothing else. The ends justify the means.

[Marthe48]

8. I'll keep voting Dem

and donating to Democratic candidates, and putting Democratic signs in my yard. The blue tide is coming

[2Gingersnaps]

9. Ohio was more progressive back when they were shooting college kids for protesting

We have voted for fair Congressional districts twice. Totally cringed the other day when someone dissing Liz Cheney said politics was "a team sport" you stick with your team no matter what. That is the problem. Civics is boring, governance is tedious, educating yourself on issues that affect your life is too much to ask. Governance is that stage Mom and bleacher Dad making damn sure their kid is a
"winner."

[Marthe48]

10. I remember when more of our elected

representatives in Ohio were Democratic than r. I don't feel like I'm living in the same state.

I agree there are too many sports analogies. We need people in leadership that are well-rounded, sound minds in sound bodies. JFK played touch football, but when they put the ball away, he got back to business.

[Capt. America]

11. The Ohio Democratic Party is a hot mess. I have lived here since 1994 and they

are worthless. They don't have a minor league grooming system and they can't elect a dog catcher state wide. They only win state wide when the retags overreach.