Top Ohio court strikes down congressional map for illegally favoring Republicans | Reuters
The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday struck down the state's new congressional map for illegally favoring Republicans over Democrats and ordered new lines drawn, a decision that could have a significant impact on the battle for control of Congress in November's elections.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Jan 14 (Reuters) - The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday struck down the state's new congressional map for illegally favoring Republicans over Democrats and ordered new lines drawn, a decision that could have a significant impact on the battle for control of Congress in November's elections.
Electoral analysts had said the Republican-backed map would ensure the party won at least 12, and perhaps 13, of the state's 15 congressional seats, in part by splitting Cincinnati's county into multiple districts to dilute Democratic voting power there.
In a 4-3 decision, the state's high court found that the map violated new provisions in the Ohio Constitution that were approved by voters in 2018, including language that prohibits any map that "favors or disfavors a political party or its incumbents.
"When the dealer stacks the deck in advance, the house usually wins," Justice Michael Donnelly wrote for the majority. "That perhaps explains how a party that generally musters no more than 55 percent of the statewide popular vote is positioned to reliably win anywhere from 75 percent to 80 percent of the seats in the Ohio congressional delegation."
The court's three Democrats were joined in the majority by Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a Republican. Three Republican justices dissented from the decision, arguing that the court was encroaching on the authority of the …
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the state's high court found that the map violated new provisions in the Ohio Constitution that were approved by voters in 2018, including language that prohibits any map that "favors or disfavors a political party or its incumbents."
The court's three Democrats were joined in the majority by Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a Republican. Three Republican justices dissented from the decision, arguing that the court was encroaching on the authority of the state legislature.
The office of Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who approved the map, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gee, what a surprise. When the citizens are in agreement about what is fair practice, most Republican lawmakers tell them to go fuck themselves.
their activities from 1/6/21 prove that even they don't believe they can win a free and fair national election.
Now we know the Republicans wouldn't use new districting lines for their advantage ~sarc~....
I lived in Ohio for many years. The gerrymandering tactics there are obscene.
Unfortunately, I still live in this shithole that is becoming dangerously close to North Alabama because of the GOP.
Republican motto:
Congressional maps should be drawn by non partisan groups, not whoever has the majority in the statehouse.
Foxes watching henhouses.
Excellent decision.