The Republican Chair of the Senate committee that’s now considering the proposed congressional map says various options are being considered. Senator Keith Faber says lawmakers are in a bind right now because Democrats in the house wouldn’t pass the emergency clause needed to put the congressional redistricting bill in place by filing deadlines and are now talking about the possibility of a referendum.
He says, "The conversations I've been hearing are certainly that the boards of elections are going to need additional staff and additional money to draw these lines and get these lines up to speed with the tight time frame. There's also some discussion and possibly seperating primaries for federal and for state, and maybe running a second primary."
If the bill is eventually passed with money appropriated, it could make it impossible for opponents to put it up for a referendum. Opponents of the redistricting map approved by the Republican dominated Ohio house are upset over the bill, saying the congressional districts favor Republicans in 12 districts.