Public floods Ohio redistricting portal with congressional map proposals

Hannah News contributed to this report 

Ohioans have already submitted more than 50 proposals through a new online portal for congressional map suggestions, launched last week to satisfy a constitutional requirement giving the public a voice in redistricting. The submissions reveal sharp partisan divides, with some maps aiming to increase Democratic representation to seven districts, while others favor as many as 13 or 14 Republican-leaning seats. Proposals range from reshaping Cleveland and Columbus districts to boosting Republican influence around Cincinnati and along the Ohio River. 

Several maps attempt to preserve Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s 9th District by stretching it toward Cleveland, echoing the controversial “Snake on the Lake” map from a decade ago. Other submissions propose splitting Franklin County or creating new Democratic seats in Central Ohio. While the public input meets the constitutional requirement, lawmakers are not obligated to adopt any of the citizen-drawn maps. 

House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) announced their appointments to the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting, which will hold its first meeting Monday, Sept. 22. House members include Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) as co-chair, along with Reps. Nick Santucci (R-Niles), Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) and State Rep. Desiree Tims (D-Dayton). Senate members include Sen. Jane Timken (R-Canton) as co-chair, with Sens. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Sen. Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton). 

The General Assembly faces a late September deadline to pass a bipartisan map. If that fails, responsibility shifts to the Ohio Redistricting Commission in October, with a final option for lawmakers to approve a majority-backed plan by the end of November.