Federal Court Implements Statehouse Maps Twice Declared Unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court
A federal district court, in a 2-1 decision Friday, May 28, implemented Ohio state Senate and House district maps for the 2022 election that have twice been declared unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amul R. Thapar and U.S. Western District of Kentucky Judge Benjamin J. Beaton, both appointed by former President Donald Trump, formed the majority. U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, opposed the decision.
Marbley said the consequences of the federal court’s actions were severe. “(In making this decision), the majority tables a watershed constitutional referendum, abrogates controlling decisions of the state Supreme Court, and unwittingly rewards the Commission’s brinksmanship over the rights of Ohio voters.”
The Primary Election for these gerrymandered state legislative maps is August 2.
