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The Ohio House has passed a proposal that would overhaul the way Ohio draws legislative districts to require additional minority-party support for approval of the political boundaries.

 

The state alters district lines to reflect population shifts identified by the U.S. Census once every 10 years. The line-drawing process is called redistricting. Both political parties have acknowledged flaws in Ohio's system.

 

The House on Thursday voted 80-4 to require that legislative lines be redrawn by a seven-member panel. Two minority-party votes would be needed to adopt the boundaries.

 

Lacking those votes, the majority party could draw the maps, but they could be in place only for four years instead of 10. They also must adhere to geographic rules that would make it tougher to draw districts that favor one party.