Ohio's top elections official recommends state House and Senate races not be on the May 3 ballot. Just hours before, the ACLU and League of Women Voters said they will no longer fight the GOP-drawn maps for 2022, adding that there just isn't enough time to continue fighting those maps and be guaranteed a new one. They're saving that fight now for 2024.

In the meantime, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's directive late Wednesday night may not be the last word.
A panel of three federal judges is set to meet Friday and may decide whether to impose a district map that had been rejected.

As far as which map would be used if that doesn't happen, the Ohio Redistricting Commission did approve a new congressional district map.
If the Ohio Supreme Court rejects it, the congressional primary contests would also need to be held at a later date.

The ever-changing developments are all becoming more of a strain on local election officials with each day that passes.

"I would hope ballot printers are preparing for this because that's my biggest obstacle right now...hiring temporary people," says Trumbull County Board of Elections director Stephanie Penrose. "I don't know if I should be calling temporary help or not. I know we've been told to keep preparing so we're doing the best we can."

"It's certainly historic," added Columbiana County BOE director Bryce Miner. "I know that we are pressing forward doing our poll worker training and doing all we can do to be ready but with all the uncertainty in the air, it's made it difficult for poll workers to commit to the election."

Meanwhile, the Ohio Redistricting Commission meets again Thursday.
After mapmakers went back to work late Wednesday and into the day Thursday, they're hoping the fourth time will be the charm.