COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A Republican negotiator says a deal is getting close on an alternative map for new congressional districts for the state.
Former state GOP chairman Bob Bennett tells The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer the Ohio House could vote on a different map as early as tomorrow.
Republican House Speaker William Batchelder asked Bennett to work with black House Democrats to find a compromise.
New district lines drawn by Republicans and passed by lawmakers in September have been thrown into limbo as Democrats gather signatures in hopes of putting the map before voters next year for possible repeal.
Bennett says the GOP wants an alternative map to maintain the original's 12 Republican-leaning districts and four Democratic districts. But he says his party is willing to make some concessions.