Thursday open thread: In this Ohio Supreme Court, ridiculous gerrymanders aren't looked upon kindly

Well, this hit my desk as I was having lunch yesterday:

The Ohio Supreme Court struck down GOP-drawn state House and Senate maps as unconstitutional gerrymandering in a 4-3 decision Wednesday, sending the Ohio Redistricting Commission back to the drawing board.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor was the key vote, breaking with her party to rule against the maps. O'Connor, a Republican, joined the court's three Democratic justices and the three GOP justices dissented.

The new plan shall be adopted within 10 days, and the Ohio Supreme Court retains jurisdiction for review of the new plan, according to a court filing.

Now, the seven-member commission faces a time crunch to craft new maps because Feb. 2 is the current deadline to file paperwork to run for the Ohio Legislature. State lawmakers could change that filing date without moving the May 3 primary.

Advocates of fair maps hailed the decision as a resounding victory for Ohio voters who overwhelmingly approved changes to the state constitution to limit partisan line-drawing.

To say that this is, in the words of a former vice president, a big fucking deal would be an understatement. A court which is 4-3 Republican voted against a nakedly partisan map, a map which flew in the face of what Ohio voters voted for in assigning the drawing of districts to a nonpartisan commission. 

Now, this is for state-level districts. But a case is before the same court about the equally heinous lines drawn for Congressional seats. One would find it hard to imagine that a court which struck down the state map would then turn around and uphold an equally egregious federal map.

Also yesterday, this came across the Bar news desk:

Democratic leaders have found a mechanism to enable them to bypass an initial Republican filibuster and debate the party's sweeping elections reform bills, according to a new leadership memo obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The strategy is the latest example of how Democrats are seeking new ways to try to bypass Senate procedures that are blocking their agenda. But the ultimate outcome will likely be the same: insufficient support to bypass a 60-vote threshold needed to pass sweeping voting rights reforms.

Yes, it's kicking the can down the road. But at least this will allow for a full and open debate of the two bills. The crunch will come when it comes time to close debate and go to a final vote. A change of filibuster rules will still be required, and that's still up in the air. 

But this puts paid to the idea that Democrats are doing nothing. It won't mollify the loudest screechers, but it should move the ball down the field. And then we'll see. The GOP doesn't even want a debate. It seems that Sen. Schumer has found a way around that.

Winning can be messy. It can take time. But you don't give up. And you don't kneecap the people who are trying to get something done in the name of "activism" or "holding their feet to the fire." Be part of the solution, lend support, or get the fuck out of the way.