The Ohio legislature has until the end of the week to approve a new congressional district map after the previous map was invalidated by the state supreme court. As the process continues, it seems that a provision in the state constitution intended to help lawmakers reach a compromise might be backfiring.
Republicans and Democrats have failed to reach a bipartisan agreement on new legislative and congressional district maps. Due to a change in the state constitution, that means the maps will only last four years.
Republican House Speaker Bob Cupp said the threat of a four-year map was supposed to encourage the parties to work together.
"I don't think it's worked out that way. In fact, the incentive may be to do a four-year map and to see what happens in four years and whether that changes the political dynamics."
Other redistricting reform advocates added to the criticism said four-year maps allow both parties to weigh their options for the future.
