The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 3, 2025
Ohio voters, who voted down a citizen-led independent redistricting commission in 2024, are seeing the consequences, as Ohio’s politician-led commission gerrymanders two more GOP congressional seats. Democrats say they had no choice but to compromise.
Unlike the other states gerrymandering to game the outcome of the 2026 midterms for control of the U.S. House, Ohio’s constitution requires redistricting after four years when a map isn’t passed with bipartisan support. But Republicans, who already hold 10 of Ohio’s 15 congressional seats, further gerrymandered the maps to give the GOP a 12 to 3 advantage.
While the Assembly leadership points to a bipartisan unanimous vote in the five-member commission, it came with bare knuckle negotiations. According to reporting by the Ohio Capital Journal, in return for retaining three of their five current seats and protecting incumbents, Democrats would not back a citizen ballot question to repeal the map. With a Republican governor, state house, and state senate, Democrats say they had no choice. Voters giving testimony at hearings on the map overwhelmingly condemned it.
The League of Women Voters OH said in a statement, “The public was shut out, the process rigged, and incumbents favored. The resulting Congressional map still doesn’t reflect the will of the voters of Ohio.”
The map is expected to be approved by the Ohio Assembly, and signed by Governor Mike DeWine.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Princeton Gerrymandering Project – Current Congressional Map, prior to recent proposal
American Democracy Minute – Polling Shows Ohio Voters Lean Toward Passing Citizen-Led Redistricting Commission Ballot Measure, Despite Disinformation from State Officials
American Democracy Minute – High Turnout of Conservative Voters Also Led to Losses for Democracy Reform in Ohio, Nevada, Colorado and Potentially Alaska
Ohio Capital Journal – New Ohio congressional redistricting map introduced to criticism, but may have support to pass
Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passes congressional map furthering GOP advantage
League of Women Voters OH – Statement on OH Redistricting Commission’s Congressional Map
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters OH, Citizens Not Politicians, Fair Districts OH,
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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