Ohio Approves New Congressional Map: What It Means for 2026 Elections
Ohio’s Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a new congressional map on October 31, 2025, which will remain in effect until 2031. The new map could potentially alter the dynamics in several races in next year’s elections and has national implications. The new maps would take Ohio’s current 10-5 Republican-to-Democratic-split to a potential 12-3 divide, based on likely voter index.
Ohio was already set to redraw its congressional districts, thanks to a judicial decision, before redistricting became a national political focus. Under the current map, Ohio’s congressional delegation included 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats. Under Ohio’s redistricting process, adopting a map requires a bipartisan vote. If the Redistricting Commission failed to adopt a map by October 31, 2025, according to the Ohio Constitution, the General Assembly could adopt a map by simple majority. Many political observers expected Ohio Republicans, with supermajorities in both chambers, to adopt a 13-2 map. However, in part due to the threat of a possible referendum, Republicans and Democrats agreed on the map adopted on October 31, 2025.
OH-01: Ohio’s 1st Congressional District (which would be comprised of most of the City of Cincinnati and parts of Hamilton County) is currently held by Congressman Greg Landsman (D-Cincinnati), shifting from a district that leaned Democratic to one that leans Republican.
OH-13: Conversely, Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, currently held by Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) (which would be comprised of most of Summit County, including the City of Akron, and parts of Stark County, including the City of Canton), likely benefits because the new map shifts her district slightly more Democratic.
OH-09: The most notable change is in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo). The new district, based on prior electoral voting indexes, is significantly more Republican, perhaps by as much as +11 Republican. Rep. Kaptur, who is the longest serving woman in U.S. House of Representatives history, announced not long after the vote that she intends to run for reelection in November 2026.
If the electoral indexes hold, no sure thing in a tumultuous political environment, Ohio’s congressional delegation would shift to 12 Republicans and 3 Democrats. However, the three districts mentioned above are expected to be tightly contested by both parties.
While there are announced candidates in these and other districts, the filing deadline is not until February 4, 2026. Potential challengers and incumbents are no doubt reviewing the new maps and weighing their options.
