Ohio Republican Party seeks U.S. Supreme Court review of state supreme court ruling on legislative maps

Primary election for state legislative races pushed to August 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Republican Party is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a state supreme court ruling that threw out the GOP-drawn legislative maps for the third time, triggering a second delay to the May 3 primary election for state legislative races.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission, which is controlled by Republicans, adopted the third set of maps in March after the state supreme court unanimously rejected two previous versions as unconstitutional gerrymanders.

But the state’s highest court said the latest maps still give Republicans an unfair advantage and ordered the commission to adopt a new set of maps by May 28. That prompted Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, to delay the primary for state legislative races until Aug. 2.

The GOP is now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, arguing that the state supreme court’s ruling is an overreach and violates the elections clause of the U.S. Constitution.

“The Ohio Supreme Court has injected itself into the political thicket and produced a partisan gerrymander of its own,” the GOP said in its petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Ohio Democratic Party has until May 18 to file a response to the GOP’s petition.

Supreme Court could issue ruling before Aug. 2 primary

The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a ruling on the GOP’s petition before the Aug. 2 primary, but it is also possible that the court could wait until after the election to issue a decision.

If the court rules in favor of the GOP, the Aug. 2 primary could go forward as scheduled. If the court rules against the GOP, the state could be forced to hold a special election for state legislative races later this year.