It's Time for Congressional Redistricting...Again

Ohio is once again about to begin its congressional redistricting process. Here's a timeline of what's happened in the past, and what to expect ahead:

2018

Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved further changes to the redistricting process, this time for congressional redistricting.

• The Ohio General Assembly has the first opportunity to draw congressional districts. If they fail to approve maps with bipartisan support, the responsibility falls to the Ohio Redistricting Commission (ORC). Any plan adopted without adequate bipartisan support would only be implemented for 4 years, as opposed to 10 years, and is subject to review by the Ohio Supreme Court.

November 2021

The Ohio General Assembly passed a congressional map without Democratic support.

January 2022

The Ohio Supreme Court struck down this map as an unconstitutional gerrymander.

March 2022

The Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts a second congressional map without Democratic support. This map is only in effect through 2026.

May 2022

Ohio held a primary election using the unconstitutional congressional map.

September 30, 2025

The Ohio General Assembly must pass a new congressional map by a 3/5 vote in each chamber, including at least 1/2 of Democrats by the end of September. 

October 31, 2025

If the General Assembly does not pass a plan with sufficient votes, the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission must adopt a plan by the end of October, with support from both Democrats on the ORC.

November 30, 2025

If the ORC does not adopt a map with sufficient votes, the General Assembly must pass a map by the end of November. This plan requires only a simple majority vote, but must still comply with anti-gerrymandering provisions of the Ohio Constitution.