Columbus Dispatch: Ohio redistricting: Few signs that third time’s a charm for state House and Senate maps

Four days after the Ohio Supreme Court rejected legislative maps for the second time, those tasked with trying again offered few signs that the third time would be a charm.

The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission now tasked with redrawing both statehouse and congressional districts had no official maps, no plan to meet and no signs of compromise. The court-imposed deadline for new House and Senate maps is Thursday.  …

Russo and Sykes expressed frustration that Republicans hadn’t shown them any maps to date or set a meeting for the commission. Russo floated a vague threat that the Ohio Supreme Court could take action if mapmakers refuse to approve constitutional maps.  …

That frustration is shared by those who advocated for redistricting reforms.

“If there was the will to engage in a robust bipartisan process, they would have already established a schedule,” said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio. “It just feels like a merry-go-round or some sort of weird Groundhog Day.”