U.S. Census Bureau announced it will not be able to distribute redistricting data to states until this fall. Initially, the Census was required to have data to states by April 1, 2021. States will not receive the data to begin the redrawing of congressional and state legislative districts until September 30, 2021. Delay of receiving data will push drawing of Ohio’s new maps past deadline.
Redistricting 2021:
Ohio’s Congressional & Legislative Districts
Website: Fair Districts Ohio
Website: Common Cause Ohio
Timeline for Redistricting Ohio
Ohio can’t draw new congressional map until 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled federal courts shouldn’t play a role in fixing partisan gerrymandering. Gerrymandering will now be in the hands of Ohio’s legislators through 2021. If an agreement cannot be reached, then the Ohio Redistricting Commission will play a role. And if all fails, the fate of redistricting will ultimately be in the hands of the Ohio Supreme Court. Right now, the Ohio Supreme Court is made of four Republicans and three Democrats. Links to important articles about gerrymandering are provided.
December 31, 2020
Census Bureau, by law, delivers apportionment counts
to the U.S. President
April 1, 2021 rescheduled to September 30, 2021
Census Bureau will send redistricting counts
to each state. These counts will be used o redraw
state legislative districts based on population changes.
In Ohio, state legislature is required to propose a
new district map, conduct public hearings and vote.
If the is bipartisan – supported by at least half of the
members in each party – new districts go into effect
for a 10-year period beginning in 2022.
October 31, 2021 – Delayed
Deadline for the Ohio Redistricting Commission to draw
maps if legislators fail to approve one.
If the commission’s map receives bipartisan support,
new districts are approved for 10 years.
If efforts to achieve a bipartisan compromise fails,
new districts can be drawn by the majority party, but new
districts are authorized for only four years – not 10 years.
The Redistricting Commission has not released a projected
timeline for the 2020 cycle as of 2.01.2021.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Ballotpedia
Who Are We?
Census2020
The Census2020 provides the data of
apportionment results to all states
for their use to redraw Congressional and state
districts beginning in 2021.
The Fair Districts = Fair Elections Coalition
is committed to reining in partisan gerrymandering.
We seek fair state legislative and
congressional maps that keep communities
together because we that
all elections should be fair and meaningful.
Common Cause Ohio
has been a leading voice for
government accountability for five decades.
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There will be several virtual events hosted
so we all understand what is involved in the
redrawing of Ohio’s Congressional & Legislative Districts.
For events planned and articles about redistricting
to keep Ohioans informed, please visit here.