The Ohio Supreme Court, declared Invalid, on Wednesday, newly drawn Maps that had Retained Republican Supermajorities in both Chambers of the State Legislature, giving the State Redistricting Panel 10 days to fix them.
The two-paragraph Order, issued by Republican Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, was a Victory for Voting Rights Advocates and Democrats, who had challenged the Lines as Unconstitutionally Gerrymandered.
The Court sent the Maps back to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, to take another crack at complying with Provisions of a 2015 Constitutional Amendment, requiring an attempt at avoiding Partisan Favoritism.
Justices also retained Jurisdiction over whatever Maps the Panel comes up with.
The Maps of the Ohio House and Senate strongly favored the Republican party, though Ohio’s Political mix is 54% Republican, 46% Democratic.
O’Connor, who is 70, must leave the Court at year’s end due to Age limits. She was considered a Pivotal voice, One of a Court, with Three other Republicans and Three Democrats.
Republicans who controlled the Map-Drawing Process, had argued the Commission met its Constitutional Mandates by complying with a host of other Protocols that made the Partisan Favoritism and Proportionality Provisions moot.
The Decision impacts all Three Lawsuits against the Maps, brought on behalf of Ohio Voters by a Host of National Groups including: the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, CAIR-Ohio, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, and the A. Philip Randolph Institute.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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