There can be little doubt that the Ohio Redistricting Commission is thumbing its nose at the state's constitution and its voters. After having been asked more than once to draw fair, constitutional state legislative district maps, the group drew up another one … from a previously rejected set of maps.
Showing no desire to do any work on behalf of Ohioans, the commission met and voted 4-3 to revisit a set of slightly altered maps the state Supreme Court has already rejected just this month. As the Associated Press reported, in doing so, the commission set aside the efforts of two independent mapmakers paid $450 an hour for four days to draw new maps in work viewed step-by-step online.
Republicans Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Senate President Matt Huffman, House Speaker Bob Cupp, and Gov. Mike DeWine voted in favor of the reportedly tweaked maps. Republican State Auditor Keith Faber and Democrats state Sen. Vernon Sykes and Rep. Allison Russo voted to reject them.
Ohio Supreme Court justices have already told the commission its efforts are unconstitutional gerrymandering. Commissioners don't care, and this has led to a split primary election -- May 3 for local and county races and then sometime in August for Ohio House and Ohio Senate races. That will end of costing Ohioans money.
This entire process has been a stunning example of government's belief that it exists to serve itself, and Ohioans should be livid.
State Supreme Court members must impose real, meaningful consequences for the commission's petulance.