Pink Rose Society

Ohio 2025 Congressional Redistricting

The mid-decade redrawing of Ohio's U.S. House map, adopted in late 2025, that reshaped the state's 2026 battlegrounds before a single vote was cast.

What happened

  • On October 31, 2025, the Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously adopted a new congressional map, moving the state's advantage to 12 Republican–3 Democratic districts (the 2022 map was 10–5; Republicans held 10 of 15 going in). Introduced by co-chair Rep. Brian Stewart (R).
  • Passage blocked a repeal referendum — a commission-adopted map isn't subject to one. That was an openly stated motivation for Republican leaders, including Gov. Mike DeWine and Senate President Rob McColley (also Vivek Ramaswamy's running mate).
  • Democrats voted yes reluctantly. Minority Leaders Nickie Antonio and Dani Isaacsohn said they faced an "impossible" choice and took the best available map after their own 8–7 proposal got testimony but no vote.

The district shifts (commission data)

  • OH-1 (Landsman) → R 54–47 (2024 pres: Trump 51.6 / Harris 47.5).
  • OH-9 (Kaptur) → R 54.5–45.5 (2024 pres: Trump 54.5 / Harris 44.0).
  • OH-13 (Sykes) leans D 52–48; OH-11 (Shontel Brown) D ~78%.

Background

This is the latest chapter in a long fight. In 2021–22 the Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly struck down maps as unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders (a Republican chief justice the 4–3 swing vote); her departure removed that check, and the court is now 6–1 Republican. A 2024 citizen amendment to take map-drawing away from politicians failed at the ballot.

Sources