State redistricting plan heads to Ohio Senate floor

COLUMBUS (AP) — A plan to have a bipartisan board determine the boundaries of the districts represented by members of the state legislature is headed to the floor of the Ohio Senate.

The State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee approved the proposal today by state Sen. Jon Husted.

It would take the power of drawing legislative districts away from whichever party controls the state Apportionment Board and give it to a seven-member bipartisan board.

A five-vote super majority would be required to pass a new redistricting plan.

The proposal is set for a full Senate vote on Wednesday. It faces an uncertain future in the Democratic-controlled Ohio House.

Legislative districts are drawn after the U.S. Census every 10 years. They are next scheduled to be drawn in 2011.