US: Democrats Avoid Worst Case Scenario In Ohio Redistricting

The Ohio Redistricting Committee has unanimously passed a new congressional map for the state, which would slightly improve Republicans' chances of gaining two addtional seats at the 2026 midterm elections. Based on voting trends, the new map would create 12 Republican-leaning districts and three Democratic-leaning districts. Up from a 10-5 share on the current map. 

• Politico notes, "To get Democrats on board, [a source said], Republicans presented a more extreme 13-2 map that would have been presented by the GOP-controlled Legislature on Nov. 1 if the commission didn’t make a deal by Friday’s deadline."
• Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) said yesterday: “The goal here was to get maps and get Democrats on board with the map, it would appear that that’s going to happen."
• Democrats are hoping to counter GOP redistricting with their own partisan efforts in California, New York, Virginia, and Illinois. The California effort, which could net a five-seat gain to cancel out a five-seat GOP gain in Texas, will be subject to a ballot referendum next week. Politico notes: "Republicans appear to have all but abandoned their efforts to defeat a Democratic gerrymander of California’s House districts one week before it goes before voters."
• A useful tracker of seats gained and lost in redistricting can be read here. When the process is completed, the GOP could stand to gain several seats. Considering the razor-thin Republican majority in the House, GOP leaders believe redistricting could be crucial to retaining control of Congress in 2026.