The Indiana constitution requires the General Assembly to redraw district lines once every decade based on data gathered in the Census. These new district lines determine our political voice, shaping our lives and our communities for the next decade.
When it’s conducted fairly, redistricting accurately reflects population changes and racial diversity, and is used by legislators to equitably allocate representation in Congress and state legislatures. However, when redistricting is used as a tool to manipulate electoral outcomes or discriminate against certain groups, it ceases to be lawful and equitable, and we call it gerrymandering. Throughout history, legislators have used gerrymandering to attack the right to vote and weaken the voting power of certain communities. Using these tactics, legislators manipulate voting district lines in ways that dilute the voting power of communities of color.
This year, despite opposition from a majority of Hoosiers, Governor Mike Braun has called a special session to change the maps mid-decade. The move comes after months of pressure by Washington outsiders to push GOP-led states into redrawing maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This attempt to redistrict mid-decade solely to rig election outcomes shamelessly undermines our democratic process.
We, the voters, should choose our elected officials, not the other way around.
Politicians should earn electoral victories by engaging with their constituents and championing policies that improve people’s lives, not waste taxpayer dollars to simply redraw the district boundaries.
Out of Indiana’s nine congressional districts, Democrats control two seats, at least one of which will be subject to gerrymandering during the special session. These seats in Northwest Indiana and Indianapolis represent the majority of communities of color in our state.
The Voting Rights Act mandates that electoral maps do not dilute the voting power of communities of color, which is exactly what this mid-decade redistricting effort will do.
Calling this special session to draw new maps for partisan gain -- with voters of color bearing the brunt -- in the middle of a cycle is not business as usual. It is a transparent power grab that puts politicians’ self-interest before voters and our communities.
