Cincinnati Enquirer/Columbus Dispatch: GOP OKs Ohio legislature maps tweaked from rejected ones, Democrats say process ‘hijacked’

Four Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission approved state House and Senate maps late Monday – choosing to tweak maps declared unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court rejected over ones crafted in the public eye.

Democrats and Republican Auditor Keith Faber voted against the maps, which five of the seven commission members saw shortly before they were approved. That means they will last only four years. The court will review whether the maps abide by voter-approved changes to the Ohio Constitution to curb partisan gerrymandering.

Members of the public present yelled “cheater” and “no” as the commission approved the maps in a 4-3 vote. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose joined House Speaker Bob Cupp and Senate President Matt Huffman in supporting the maps. …

Advocates for redistricting reform already have their sights set on a better process, possibly an independent commission such as ones used in other states. Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio, said they would not rush anything to the ballot, but something needed to change.

“They’re drunk on power,” Turcer said. “They need to be removed from the decision-making process.”