COLUMBUS (AP) — A key lawmaker says state lawmakers in Ohio will miss another deadline for redrawing the state’s congressional district maps for the next decade.
The lapse predicted by Senate President Matt Huffman punts the job to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a newly created panel already facing criticism and lawsuits challenging the fairness of the new map it passed for state legislative districts.
The congressional deadline comes weeks after the panel missed its Sept. 1 deadline for redrawing state legislative districts and went on to approve new district boundaries purely along party lines.
DeWine’s son won’t recuse himself from redistricting cases
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s son says he won’t recuse himself from cases challenging state legislative maps approved by his father.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine texted The Columbus Dispatch Thursday that “there is no basis” for him to do so.
Spectrum News first reported his decision.
The governor sits on the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission that okayed the Ohio House and Senate maps along party lines.
Three lawsuits allege they’re unconstitutional.
Ohio’s judicial conduct code requires judges to disqualify themselves from cases when their impartiality might be questioned.
Democrats said the DeWines are bending the rules for political gain.