For the second time in three days, the Ohio Supreme Court has rejected a new redistricting map.
Wednesday, the court rejected newly drawn district maps for both state legislative chambers. Friday, the court rejected the map of the state's 15 U.S. Congressional districts, ruling it as gerrymandered, sending the blueprint back for another try. The 4-3 decision returns the process to the Ohio General Assembly and the Ohio Redistricting Commission, which have a combined 60 days to comply.
Justices ruled the map of U.S. House districts was drawn strategically to Republicans' advantage, violating a 2018 constitutional amendment overwhelmingly supported by Ohio voters. Self-proclaimed voting rights and Democratic groups had challenged the map as "unduly" favoring one party, a constitutional violation. Republicans had defended the map as, "highly competitive."
