Ohio Legislative Maps Cause Confusion Heading Into November Election
Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer — children returning to school, football games under Friday night lights and the official kick-off of political campaign season.
Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer — children returning to school, football games under Friday night lights and the official kick-off of political campaign season.
But this year, Ohio voters are heading into the November election with uncertainty over their choices on the ballot.
A 2018 ballot measure, approved by 75% of Ohio voters, amended the state constitution to create a bipartisan structure for the drawing of the state’s electoral districts. But maps submitted by both the Republican-led state legislature and Redistricting Commission were, over the course of the past year, repeatedly ruled unconstitutional under the 2018 plan by the Ohio Supreme Court.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled in May the commission’s state legislative maps would take effect only for the 2022 election cycle and set the legislative primary date for Aug. 2. That primary, which saw a 7.9% voter turnout, cost the state $20 million.
The website of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose shows district maps for both state and federal House districts, with a caveat on the federal map: “This map was enacted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission on 3/02/2022 in adherence to an Ohio Supreme Court order. It is subject to further judicial review.”
Besides confusing voters, the battle over legislative maps has disrupted campaigns across the state, including the race for House District 99, which covers parts of Ashtabula and Geauga counties.
Democrat Abby Kovacs was set to face off against incumbent Sarah Fowler Arthur for the seat, but was drawn out of her district in the third round of maps submitted by the redistricting commission.
Because her name appeared on the primary ballot, the Democratic party was able to appoint Kathy Zappitello, executive director of the Conneaut Public Library, to replace Kovacs.
“The harsh reality is that I have been gerrymandered out of the 99th District by mere feet,” Kovacs wrote to supporters in an Aug. 10 Facebook post. “I am disappointed to withdraw from this election, but I am hopeful that my decision will allow someone else to take my place in this fight to preserve democracy.”
In a News 5 story, Kovacs said she did not have the funds to fight the decision to draw the new district lines 20 feet from her home. The story adds an extra twist — Kovacs’s property actually extends across the newly-drawn district line, but her mailbox is now in the 65th District.
Geauga County was previously divided into the 99th and 76th Ohio House districts. However, the state’s new district lines have the county divided into the 99th and 35th. That race will see Democrat Lori O’Neill, of Bainbridge Township, face off against Republican Steve Demetriou, of Chagrin Falls.
