Members of Ohio's Redistricting Commission were told to get back to work -- and do the job right -- last month, when the state Supreme Court tossed out the Republican-drawn maps.
A majority of the court sided with voting rights advocates and Democratic groups who said the submitted maps were an extreme partisan gerrymander. The maps were predicted to again deliver supermajorities to the Republican party.
In case you are wondering, the court is made up of four Republicans, including Justice Pat DeWine, and three Democrats. The majority found the maps violated a constitutional amendment against gerrymandering.
The redistricting commission took up its mission with the urgency of a teenager being asked to do homework over summer break. They did virtually nothing, until it came time to hand in a map drawn by Republican lawmakers.
So, the state Supreme Court gave them 10 days to give it another try, and retained jurisdiction over whatever map the commission hands them a second time.
For their part, members of the commission promise this time they will do the work quickly and transparently. One wonders why that was not their mantra the first time.
Ohioans are counting on the commission to draw new districts that are an accurate and fair division of the population. The state Supreme Court ruled the commission let us down once. Here's hoping they take their responsibility seriously this time.