The hot-button topic of redistricting is in the news lately after Democrats in Texas fled to avoid a special session. Among numerous issues up for debate in that session is redrawing congressional lines that are expected to benefit Republicans.
A related Hill story reports seven other states are also looking at new congressional boundary lines, too. The states are Ohio, California, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New York, and New Jersey.
The article describes a redistricting "arms race” that is underway in those states, including in New York and California, where independent commissions could be scrapped in a nakedly political bid to add more seats. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom is demanding a special session to bypass the state’s Citizen Redistricting Commission, an independent body previously approved by voters in two separate ballot measures.
In red-state Ohio, where Republicans occupy 10 of 15 House seats, state lawmakers are required by law to approve a new map before the midterms.
Tom Zawistowski, of the We the People Convention, says Ohio is in a unique position because of the state law and also because the political parties failed to reach a consensus when lawmakers voted to approve newly drawn maps.
“And so the districts that were put in place cannot stay that way,” he explains. “They have to redistrict again before 2026."
Two congressional districts that are expected to change with new boundary lines are the 9th District, which is the Toledo area, and the 13th District that covers Akron and Canton. Those congressional districts are currently represented by Rep. Marcy Kaptur and Rep. Emilia Sykes, who are likely to be drawn out and lose their seats.
“The goal for Republicans is that they expect to pick up at least two seats in Ohio,” Zawistowski explains. “So out of the 15 they would have all but three of them. That's going to happen for sure because it's required by law."
