Amid primary disarray, Ohio Redistricting Commission starts work on 4th legislative maps

Amid legal challenges, talk of impeaching the Republican chief justice and primary chaos, the Ohio Redistricting Commission took the first steps toward drawing the fourth set of legislative maps. 

A divided Ohio Supreme Court rejected the commission's latest state House and Senate maps late Wednesday and recommended some changes for round four. Those suggestions included hiring an independent mapmaker rather than one employed by the GOP-controlled Legislature.

On Saturday, the commission decided on several steps to get started. First, two Republican mapmakers – Senate GOP's Ray DiRossi and House GOP's Blake Springhetti – and two Democratic mapmakers – consultant Chris Glassburn and Senate Democrats' Randall Routt – will look at sticking points and areas of disagreement. 

Second, the commission will consider using additional mapmakers who haven't been involved in past proposals. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost offered the line-drawing services of a bipartisan duo of mapmakers who successfully crafted Virginia's legislative maps. Yost retained GOP analyst Sean Trende of RealClearPolitics and Democrat Bernie Grofman, a professor of political science at the University of California-Irvine, to draw Ohio's maps – if the commission chooses to use them.  

House Minority Leader Allison Russo expressed some concern about Trende because he defended Republican maps in lawsuits brought against them. 

The commission might use a mediator to hash out difficult negotiations. The commission will decide on whether to use additional mapmakers or a mediator by Monday. 

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. Tuesday. 

Ohio redistricting:What is the 'drop-dead date' for when federal courts need to take over Ohio maps?

Gov. Mike DeWine, one of three statewide officeholders on the commission, repeatedly suggested that the seven-member body needed to make decisions quickly because of the March 28 deadline to approve a new map. 

News:Ohio Republicans discussing impeachment of Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor after map ruling

Meanwhile, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Friday that those suing over Ohio's congressional map would need to file new lawsuits. If they don't, the most recent map would be the final one.

Ohio redistricting:GOP unveils new congressional map. See it here.

In federal court, a three-judge panel of two former President Donald Trump appointees and one former President Bill Clinton appointee will review whether Ohio should use rejected legislative maps.

The Ohio primary, set for May 3, is in limbo, but the state won't be sued for sending out late military ballots. House Republicans are considering a plan to oust O’Connor, the deciding vote on the state's high court.

On Saturday, Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, had no comment on whether O'Connor should be impeached. Cupp previously served on the Ohio Supreme Court with O'Connor.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.