[From the Akron Beacon-Journal]
The court's majority suggested that the Ohio Redistricting Commission start from maps crafted by two hired mapmakers – Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political science professor, and Douglas Johnson, president of the National Demographics Corp.
"By certain measures, their plan – though incomplete – is on track to being constitutionally compliant," according to the majority's opinion.
The hired mapmakers' plan had fewer tossup districts on both sides of the political aisle than ones approved by Republicans on the commission. The court's majority has placed a premium on maps that precisely match Ohioans' voting preferences – about 54% for Republican candidates and 46% for Democratic ones – and too many tossup districts for one political party.
www.beaconjournal.com/...