Today, the Republican-controlled Ohio Redistricting Commission held its first meeting. However, Republicans refused to release a map at the meeting or allow any members of the public to testify. The Commission has until the end of October to produce a bipartisan map. 

While Republicans continue to refuse to release a map or negotiate with Democrats on a bipartisan proposal, Ohio Democrats have released a map that closely aligns with statewide voting trends. In 2024, 55% of Ohioans voted for the Republican candidate. Under the Democrats’ fair map, Ohio’s 15 congressional districts would consist of eight Republican and seven Democratic seats, not 10 and five, respectively.

Earlier this month, the DNC announced a major investment in the Ohio Democratic Party to support their efforts to fight back against gerrymandering and build the infrastructure necessary to win in 2026 and beyond. The DNC’s investment is on top of the historic $1 million a month DNC Chair Ken Martin is sending to state parties across the country to build on-the-ground campaign and organizing infrastructure. 

A reminder: Ohio Republicans want to rig their maps because they are concerned about losing their House majority in the 2026 midterms after passing Trump’s Big Ugly Bill that causes 460,000 Ohioans to lose health insurance and puts 11 rural hospitals at risk of closing. 

In response, DNC Communications Director Rosemary Boeglin released the following statement: 

“Ohio Republicans continue to shroud the redistricting process in secrecy because they know how unpopular their scheme to rig Ohio’s congressional map is. They don’t want to release their map or allow public testimony because they are scared of Ohioans seeing their corruption in broad daylight and holding them accountable at the ballot box. What Ohio Republicans are threatening to do is shameful. In stark contrast, Ohio Democrats publicly released a fair map that would accurately reflect the will of Ohioans. If Ohio Republicans follow the lead of Republicans in Texas and Missouri and rig their map at the behest of Donald Trump, Democrats will fight them every step of the way.”