Common Cause Ohio

The trial of former House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges showed ways in which powers were abused and oversight was absent.

Every election, dozens of races across the state at nearly every level of government lack competition. Whether there is a one-party dominated Congressional district or an entrenched incumbent in a state general assembly seat scaring off challengers, many voters heading to the polls will find at least one race where their vote is symbolic only.

Some of the groups challenging Republican-drawn state legislative district maps in the Ohio Supreme Court are voicing their opposition to a federal court decision that would allow Republicans to implement maps that were already ruled unconstitutional.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission held hearings Wednesday on proposed congressional district maps for the first time since the plan adopted by the General Assembly was rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.

State lawmakers have just over a week to redraw a new congressional district map after the previous plan was ruled unconstitutional. The coalition, Fair Districts Ohio, is calling on elected officials to take a look at their proposed map.

Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission have made an unusual request to the Ohio Supreme Court, which will be deciding if the new state House and Senate maps they drew are constitutional.

They say the Ohio Redistricting Commission must follow new reforms in order to avoid gerrymandering.

This makes the third legal challenge to maps approved on a party-line vote by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

Common Cause Ohio’s Catherine Turcer said in the aftermath of the Republican favored Statehouse legislative maps the top priorities are legal options and the upcoming Congressional map and not another ballot initiative at least not right now.

Some voting rights groups are urging Gov. Mike DeWine to veto some parts of the budget when he signs it.