Indiana House passes redistricting bill but rocky path awaits in Senate
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The Indiana House passed a new, partisan congressional map Friday, setting up a showdown in the Senate, where there might not be enough support to send the bill to the governor.
Why it matters: Indiana is the latest state to take action in the mid-decade redistricting push intended to fulfill President Trump's request to net the GOP the extra seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- These changes could have reverberations for years as Democrats and Republicans scramble to nullify each other's gains.
Driving the news: House Bill 1032, which redraws Indiana's congressional map to give Republicans an advantage in all nine of the state's districts, passed the House 57-41.
- 12 Republicans split from the supermajority to oppose the measure.
Catch up quick: The map redraws all of the state's congressional districts, splitting Indianapolis into four districts and likely delivering two more GOP seats to Trump.
- Marion County would be divided into the 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th districts.
- Currently, the northern two-thirds of Marion County is the entirety of the 7th District (represented by Democrat Andre Carson), and the southern third is part of the 6th.
- The new map would also move Bloomington, the progressive home of Indiana University, into the 8th District to keep it separated from Indianapolis.
- Northwest Indiana would be split into two districts to break up the 1st District, currently held by Democrat Frank Mrvan. The proposed 1st District would go from covering just two counties — Lake and Porter — to including nine counties.
What they're saying: While critics have decried the impact on Black and brown communities, particularly in Indianapolis, Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) said the map was drawn solely for political gain.
Zoom out: Texas kicked off the partisan mid-decade redistricting competition with other states this summer.
- In a major win for Republicans, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Texas' map to go forward, potentially netting an extra five seats for the GOP.
- Including Texas, five states have redrawn their maps and others are considering doing so.
What's next: HB 1032 will be heard in the Senate's Elections Committee Monday at 1:30pm.
- Public sign-ups to testify on the bill open at 8:30am outside of the Senate chamber.
- Should the bill pass out of committee, it is expected to be heard by the full chamber for amendments Wednesday and a final vote Thursday.