The following is an excerpt from the opinion piece, Redistricting reform in Indiana is long overdue, from the local newspaper South Bend Tribune. Take a look:

Redistricting reform is long overdue in the Hoosier state, given that the current system — which gives the legislature responsibility for drawing its own legislative and congressional districts — has resulted in maps that make it easy for incumbents to get re-elected and nearly impossible for challengers to be competitive. Both Democrats and Republicans have taken advantage of this system over the years, with the voters, whose role in political process has been reduced, coming up the big losers.

Indiana legislators could head off any future challenges to its maps this session. Julia Vaughn of Common Cause Indiana, a leading advocate for redistricting reform, warns that if legislators fail to act on reforms this year, they should expect a legal challenge to new maps in 2021.

The League of Women Voters of Indiana have partnered with Common Cause Indiana on a joint effort to bring redistricting reform. Here is some information on the recent history from the League of Women Voters of Indiana:

In 2015, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1003. This legislation called for an independent study committee on redistricting reform. The LWVIN has partnered with Common Cause Indiana to create a statewide coalition calling for real redistricting reform in Indiana. Coalition partners include: Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens Action Coalition, ACLU, NAACP, Indiana Farmers Union, Jobs for Justice and Moral Mondays. The Special Interim Study Committee on Redistricting was appointed.

Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Jerry Torr, a recommendation passed by a vote of 8-3 calling for the establishment of an Independent Redistricting Commission. Rep. Torr’s leadership and commitment to the study committee process is deeply appreciated. For a summary of the redistricting process, click here. For a PDF copy of the Interim Study Committee on Redistricting’s Final Report, click here.

Lastly, a great video from the Washington Post explaining the way redistricting is abused nationwide can be viewed right here: