INDIANA NEWS SERVICE - Indiana's Nov. 3 special session on redistricting was abruptly canceled shortly after it was announced by Gov. Mike Braun and the latest development in state Republicans’ push to redraw congressional maps is raising questions about the party's future.
Last week, the Indiana Senate fell short of the needed votes from the Republican caucus to move forward but the governor has continued to support a push for redistricting. Indiana Republicans are now concerned the party could lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterms if the effort fails.
Megan Robertson, executive director of Indiana Conservation Voters, said there should be a “clean democracy.”
"What's frustrating, I think, is that Governor Braun said very clearly, he was going to do right by Hoosiers, and he was going to follow the legislature," Robertson explained. "The legislature has told him specifically, they don't have the votes. But he keeps pushing forward because he's listening to Washington insiders instead of Hoosiers."
A phone call from President Donald Trump and two visits by Vice President JD Vance to Braun since August were made to urge compliance with the Indiana redistricting effort. Democrats view it as an illegal attempt to minimize voting power in Marion County’s 7th District and northwest Indiana’s 1st District. Both are heavily populated by people of color.
Indiana's congressional districts were last redrawn in 2021 and are typically redrawn every 10 years, after a census. The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports a majority of Hoosiers do not support redistricting, saying the state is on the “wrong track.” Other issues are regarded as more important, Robertson added. She encouraged voters to contact lawmakers and make their position clear.
"We've got high grocery store prices. Our energy bills are skyrocketing. We have all these issues that you could spend your time on," Robertson outlined. "Focus on that instead of redrawing maps to cheat to win elections. It's the worst of partisan politics, and I think that's what Hoosiers are reacting to."
Robertson suggested concerned citizens go to PlayFairIndiana.com and click a link which will email their local representative, state senator and Braun. There is also a link to call your legislator and leave a voicemail.
The Indiana General Assembly is scheduled to be in session Nov. 18 for Organization Day, the ceremonial kickoff of the 2026 legislative session.
Terri Dee wrote this article.