Unconstitutional maps rule Ohio elections in 2022

To paraphrase Yogi Berra, the latest Ohio Supreme Court redistricting ruling is like deja vu all over again.

• The court once again ruled a GOP-drawn congressional district map is an unconstitutional gerrymander.

Why it matters: The ruling comes too late to impact this year's election cycle — meaning Ohio voters are stuck with partisan maps benefiting Republican candidates this November.

State of play: This is the seventh time in 2022 the court has rejected state or federal legislative maps as unconstitutionally favoring the Republican Party.

• In all seven rulings, Republican Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor joined the court's three Democrats in the majority decision.

The big picture: Despite citizen-driven reform efforts meant to make Ohio's redistricting process more transparent and bipartisan, it has thus far been messy, to say the least.

• Republican mapmakers in control of the redistricting commission and state Legislature have repeatedly pushed maps that the court eventually rejects, sending maps back to be redrawn, without consequence.
• Rinse and repeat.

What's ahead: Redistricting officials are tasked, once again, with drawing legal maps for the 2024 election cycle.

Reminder: Early voting for the August special election is underway.