Redistricting bill deserves hearing
Redistricting bill deserves hearing
To the editor:
Indiana’s state legislative and U.S. Congressional district maps will be redrawn following the 2020 census. The results will impact Indiana’s governance for a decade. Currently, two important and complimentary redistricting bills have been filed with the Indiana Senate Elections Committee (Greg Walker, District 41, chairman).
Together, these bills would go far toward establishing a redistricting practice the people of Indiana can trust and reforming Indiana’s current flawed redistricting process in which incumbent legislators may draw their own districts (a clear conflict of interest).
One of the bills, authored by Chairman Walker, establishes criteria and standards for drawing legislative districts. This bill is an important step for fair redistricting. However, the second bill — Senate Bill 91, authored by Sen. John Ruckelshaus (R, District 30) — is of far greater significance. It creates a politically balanced citizens’ commission charged with preparing new district maps for the legislature’s consideration. Sen. Walker’s bill has advanced out of committee and on to the full Senate. Senate Bill 91 has not received a hearing in committee.
Senate Bill 91 deserves a hearing, which must be held by Feb. 23. I call upon Chairman Walker to schedule a hearing for Senate Bill 91.
I urge all readers who support fair elections to contact Sen. Walker now, at 317-232-9753 or [email protected]. Express your support for redistricting reform and call for Senate Bill 91 to receive a timely hearing.
Norma Blake
Greenwood
