(Network IN)–A coalition calling for change in how Indiana draws its legislative maps is relaunching its effort.
The Indiana Coalition for Independent Redistricting brought together about 100 people pushing for Indiana to become the 15th state to assign an independent commission the task of drawing legislative districts. A study committee last year didn’t endorse a specific plan, and a bill creating a commission got a hearing in the House this year but no vote.
Representative Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) says she believes there’s growing public support to change the system, and says she’s optimistic legislators will feel enough pressure to advance the bill next year.
Hamilton’s district is one of the state’s most competitive. She says close districts mean legislators are more likely to work hard and to listen to their constituents.
The statehouse rally was timed to fall on the birthday of former Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry, who 200 years ago made “gerrymander” a synonym for politically engineered maps. Activists served up birthday cake and a political Rorschach test, inviting people to hang names on a handful of oddly shaped districts.
Indiana’s maps are due for their next redraw in 2021.
