+34
The Ohio Supreme Court rejected a resubmitted legislative redistricting plan from the Ohio Redistricting Commission and gave the commission until June 3 to pass an entirely new map.
it will order the state to use if something else isn’t approved by May 28, is the only one that could be used in time for a special election on Aug. 2. Democrats and other critics claimed that Republicans haven’t tried since the May 5 federal court ruling to pass something else that would be approved by the Ohio Supreme Court, as they know the federal court would order “Map 3″ used if nothing was done.
The Supreme Court has, in all, rejected four maps passed by Republicans on the redistricting commission without the support of the two Democrats on the commission. In each case, Republican Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor has joined the court’s three Democrats in holding that the proposed maps were unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans. O’Connor, in her opinion, wrote that the redistricting commission has “engaged in a stunning rebuke of the rule of law” by resubmitting a plan that the court already deemed unconstitutional. O’Connor also rebuked the two federal judges who ordered “Map 3″ to be used if no constitutional plan was in place by May 28 deadline -- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amul Thapar and U.S. Western District of Kentucky Judge Benjamin Beaton, both appointed by Republican ex-President Donald Trump. The third member of the panel, Judge Algenon Marbley, an appointee of Democratic ex-President Bill Clinton, sharply dissented from the majority ruling. Thapar and Beaton, O’Connor wrote, “feigned interest” in buying Ohio more time to both make a new map and more quickly implement that map. Their decision, O’Connor stated, “effectively instructed the Republican members of the commission that all they had to do to get their way was to wait out the clock until May 28.” Redistricting commission members have been repeatedly ordered to explain to the court why they shouldn’t be held in contempt for ignoring court directives -- most recently, missing a court-imposed deadline to pass a new map. But on Wednesday, without any dissent, the court denied the latest motion for commission members to show why they shouldn’t be held in contempt. O’Connor and the three Democrats -- Justices Jennifer Brunner, Michael Donnelly, and Melody Stewart -- denied the contempt motion without comment. Republican Justices Pat Fischer and Sharon Kennedy, though, issued opinions stating that, under the separation-of-powers doctrine, the judiciary has no power to hold in contempt members of the redistricting commission for performing duties “that are purely legislative in character.” Republican Justice Pat DeWine, the son of Gov. Mike DeWine dissented in the ruling striking down the resubmitted map. He recused himself from the decision of whether to order commission members to present their cases against being held in contempt. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Scratch the next story
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cedar Point passholder lawsuit heads to Ohio Supreme Court, seeks refunds for pandemic-shortened seasonTwo lawsuits are winding their way through the state and federal court systems in Ohio involving Sandusky-based Cedar Fair and season passholders across the United States. At issue is whether the company should have offered refunds to season passholders in 2020, when the amusement park season was cut short due to the pandemic.
Read more »
‘Armed and dangerous’ 17-year-old murder suspect escapes custody in Northeast Ohio, OSHP saysThe Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed a 17-year-old murder suspect is on the loose after he escaped from Ohio Department of Youth Services custody on May 24 in Shaker Heights.
Read more »
Ohio man charged with plot to assassinate former President George W. BushCOLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio man was charged with aiding and abetting a plot to kill former President George W. Bush, the Justice Department said Tuesday.
Read more »
Ohio governor, lawmakers react to deadly mass shooting at Texas elementary schoolSeveral Ohio politicians, including Gov. Mike DeWine, offered statements and condolences following the mass shooting that left at least 19 children and several adults dead at a Texas elementary school.
Read more »
Here are the gun laws in Ohio your legislators are considering this General AssemblyHere are the gun laws Ohio legislators are considering this General Assembly. There are 29 in total — 13 Republican-proposed, 16 Democrat-proposed.
Read more »
Northeast Ohio wineries take home awards in 2022 Ohio Wine CompetitionWineries in Northeast Ohio are raising a glass in celebration after taking home awards in the 2022 Ohio Wine Competition that was held at the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake.
Read more »