Election uncertainty continues after high court rejects second set of district maps

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Feb. 8, 2022) – With the boundaries of Ohio’s legislative districts still up in the air, one lawmaker is proposing a separate primary for Congressional candidates.

Tuscarawas County Board of Elections Director Gail Garbrandt says the suggestion from Senate President Matt Huffman would be problematic for counties, which would be responsible for the cost of the additional election.

“So it would put a particular strain on our budget at the board of elections,” she says. “Not to mention the most important thing about that is it would be extremely confusing to voters in Tuscarawas County: ‘What do you mean I have to vote in two primaries. I just went to the primary.’ ‘Oh, well, you have to go to another one now because now you have to vote for members of Congress.’”

She says it’s all just talk at this point, although they’re still awaiting guidance on how to move forward.

“That’s not final yet. That’s just on the table. So we’re all still here sitting and waiting for something to be decided so we can start putting our ballot together.” 

The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected two sets of maps from the state’s Redistricting Commission as unconstitutionally slanted toward Republicans. State lawmakers previously approved legislation pushing the filing deadline for Congressional candidates back to March 4th, although petitions from those seeking other offices were still due last Wednesday.

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