Ohio Republicans are eagerly watching as a state redistricting commission runs up against a deadline to design a new congressional district map by the end of the month. If it fails, as looks increasingly likely, Republicans will have an easier path to drawing one that’s friendlier to their party.
That would mean Republicans could make up to three Democrat-held seats more competitive, as the national party is pushing to protect and even grow the majority they currently have in the House of Representatives at the request of President Donald Trump.
While the redistricting battle has been playing out nationally for months, the Ohio redistricting fight precedes it because of a citizen-led ballot initiative passed in 2018 aimed at combating gerrymandering. The state redistricting commission is currently in charge of coming up with a new map ahead of 2026 that would last until after the next census.