Ohio Redistricting Commission

A federal court has ruled that Ohio redistricting officials have until May 28 to implement new state legislative district maps, if they cannot meet that deadline, then the federal judges will implement a map already invalidated by the Ohio Supreme Court.

A coalition of elections officials from around Ohio are underlining their call for a second primary to happen August 2 — and no later.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled the fourth attempt at state legislative district maps was unconstitutional, leaving the different state officials in a state of limbo until a possible federal court decision.

The Ohio Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, ruled the latest Ohio House and Ohio Senate district maps adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission to be unconstitutional.

Franklin County Recorder Danny O'Connor announced Thursday that he is ending his campaign for Ohio's 15th Congressional district, citing the recent redistricting of the state map as his reason for dropping out of the race.

The standoff between the Ohio Supreme Court and the Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission has left county election officials all over the state holding the bag, not knowing when a second primary will be held. This creates a number of problems for officials, poll workers and voters.

The attorney representing a group of Youngstown voters said he is preparing to file another motion arguing the Ohio Redistricting Commission violated the Voting Rights Act when drawing the new congressional district map.

The group wanted the federal court to intervene in Ohio's congressional races and block the certification of the May 3 primary results, but the court said the request exceeded the scope of the original case.

As Ohioans cast their votes for the May 3 primary races, there is still no word on when they will return to the polls to decide state legislative races.

Members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, who adopted new House and Senate district maps last week, filed responses in state supreme court to explain why they should not be held in contempt of court.