Authors Published Book on Ohio Gerrymandering
Rory Riley Topping and Josh Rultenberg released Draw the Line in Ohio to explain redistricting using pop culture.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Political Parties
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Published on September 15, 2026, by Prometheus Books, the new work Draw the Line in Ohio uses pop culture references to break down the complexities of state redistricting. Authors Rory Riley Topping and Josh Rultenberg draw on their professional backgrounds as former congressional staffers to analyze the mapping process.
Why it matters
The authors aim to make the often opaque subject of gerrymandering accessible to a wider audience by utilizing familiar cultural touchstones. They argue that applying these references helps readers better understand the mechanics behind political boundary setting.
The authors characterize political discourse by noting that 80 percent of the time Republicans spent discussing redistricting focused on Eric Holder, while only 20 percent went to other political matters. The book relies on their experiences as former congressional staffers to provide this analysis.
The players
Rory Riley Topping
She is an author who previously served as a staff director for a House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee.
Josh Rultenberg
He is an author who worked as the communications director for Representative Emilia Sykes until summer 2026.
Emilia Sykes
She served as the Ohio House minority leader and held a position on the Ohio Redistricting Commission.
Prometheus Books
This is the publishing company responsible for releasing Draw the Line in Ohio.
The details
Topping and Rultenberg, both independents, employ references such as the film Mean Girls to explain the redistricting process in Ohio. The analysis relies on their professional insights into congressional mapping gained from their previous work on Capitol Hill.
Timeline
Rory Riley Topping worked as a House subcommittee staff director in the early 2010s.
The book Draw the Line in Ohio was published on September 15, 2026.
The authors are scheduled to appear at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. on September 30, 2026.
Political Context
The book examines the political and legal frameworks surrounding the Ohio Redistricting Commission. It offers a critique of how these institutions function by juxtaposing formal legislative procedures with popular cultural narratives.
Readers may gain a clearer understanding of how legislative mapping directly influences the political landscape in Ohio. The text provides citizens with a framework for identifying how redistricting affects their local representation.
The takeaway
The authors demonstrate that complex political issues can be demystified through non-traditional communication strategies. By bridging the gap between pop culture and policy, they hope to encourage broader civic participation.
What happens next
The authors are scheduled to host an event at Politics and Prose at the Wharf in Washington, D.C., on September 30, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more analysis regarding state Political Parties in our dedicated section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Roll Call.
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