Bipartisan Group Takes Last Shot At Redistricting Reform Ahead Of 2021 Maps

Lawmakers and activists gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to support redistricting reform ahead of the new maps drawn in 2021. The bipartisan group promoted two bills for greater transparency in redistricting.

Next year, Indiana’s Constitution requires legislators to redraw maps for state and federal voting districts based on population data from the U.S. Census. 

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) says Republican leadership has put off the issue since the maps were redrawn in 2011.

“When is this going to finally happen? When are we really going to have meaningful redistricting reform in the state of Indiana? This is the year to do this,” Lanane says.

READ MORE: Time Running Out For Comprehensive Redistricting Reform

Sen. John Ruckelshaus (R-Indianapolis) authored legislation to promote greater transparency in that process. One bill, which he’s offered for the last three years, would create a redistricting commission. The second bill would create an educational tool to teach citizens about the process and allow them to draw their own maps.

“We’ve entered an era now that people want transparency," Ruckelshaus says. "The ultimate goal here, is to draw as competitive maps as possible. Competition is a good thing.”

Ruckelshaus says these bills have both Republican and Democratic support in both the House and Senate.

Contact Lauren at lchapman@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @laurenechapman_.