Redistricting bill author wants Congress to end mid-cycle redistricting
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The author of Indiana's partisan mid-cycle redistricting bill wants Congress to end partisan mid-cycle redistricting nationwide.
Why it matters: America's in the middle of a politically driven redistricting war, as red and blue states rush to redraw congressional maps to pick up additional seats ahead of next year's midterm election.
- These changes could have reverberations for years as Democrats and Republicans scramble to nullify each other's gains.
State of play: Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, has said multiple times this week that he'd like Congress to "fix" the situation and end the arms race that Indiana is currently at the center of.
Yes, but: Until then, Smaltz is going to carry House Bill 1032, which carves up Indiana's two Democratic congressional districts (the 1st and 7th) with a new map "specifically drawn for political advantage."
Driving the news: Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, introduced an amendment on Thursday that would have required congressional maps to be drawn by the nonpartisan legislative services agency without favoring a political party, incumbent or any other group.
- "When Texas acted at the request of President Trump, it really opened this Pandora's box," Pierce said. "We have an opportunity to break the fever."
What they're saying: "This would be a good place for Congress to start," Smaltz said of Pierce's amendment, telling his colleagues to call on Congress to establish a set of rules that levels the playing field for all states.
- He then voted against Pierce's amendment, which failed.
What's next: HB 1032 is expected to pass the House tomorrow.
What we're watching: Senate Republicans, who initially didn't want to even consider a redistricting bill, still might not have the votes, and a pressure campaign seems to have had the opposite effect than intended.
- The Senate is expected to take up the bill Monday afternoon.