Coalition Demands State Leaders Create Fair Redistricting Process 

Today, Indiana’s leading civic and voting rights organizations called on the Indiana General Assembly leadership to commit to a fair redistricting process that is transparent and allows the public to participate. The Indiana Citizen published details of a private July 7 meeting in which Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tempore Rodric Bray announced they plan to complete the state’s redrawing of electoral maps by October 1. There was no confirmation if or how the public will have an opportunity to review and weigh in on the proposed maps. To date, the General Assembly has not announced any plans or confirmed dates for public engagement on the redistricting process that will impact Indiana’s elections for the next decade.  

“Redistricting is the most important issue facing our state this year, but our government has yet to share how they plan to hold a process that is transparent and accountable to the people,” said Julia Vaughn, Executive Director of Common Cause Indiana. “The voters of Indiana deserve to hear how our legislators are drawing our electoral maps in a public setting — not behind closed doors.”  

“The Indiana General Assembly is leaving Hoosiers in the dark on redistricting,” said Bryce Gustafson, Organizer with Citizens Action Coalition. “Our democracy is strongest when we the people can participate and be heard by our government. Drawing and approving new political maps for the next ten years without healthy and robust debate from the public is downright anti-democratic.” 

“Redistricting will affect how we vote, where we vote, and who will be on our ballot for the next decade,” said Linda Hanson, Co-President of The League of Women Voters Indiana. “Such an important democratic process requires more than a behind closed door meeting. Hoosiers deserve to have a process that is fair, transparent, and accountable to the people.”