By Audrey Bailey
The Hamilton County League of Women Voters and guest, Indiana State Senator Mike Delph, (R-Carmel) met Oct. 14 at the Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville in order to address issues of gerrymandering and redistricting laws in Indiana.
The first line of business was to play a documentary called “Gerrymandering,” by Jeff Reichert. Like the title suggests, the film was an introduction to the topic of redistricting, or when the legislature and other government bodies redraw lines and boundaries of electoral districts.
This reapportionment process happens every 10 years with the intent of ensuring that everyone is justly represented in the U.S. Congress.
However, much of what the documentary along with the evening’s panel members discussed, was how gerrymandering, or the process of legislatures redrawing district lines, makes this process flawed and advantageous to incumbents.
But, according to Mari Briggs, from the HCLWV, steps are being made toward Indiana redistricting reform. A bill was recently passed, permitting a Study Committee of seven legislatures and four citizens.
“We actually did get a bill passed in Congress that gives us a place to start,” Briggs said.
Julia Vaughn, policy director of Common Cause, said they are aiming to get redistricting reform achieved through the legislature, without the need to amend the Constitution. But, time is running short.
“We’re running out of time to get this done by 2021,” Vaughn said.
According to Vaughn, people need to get involved, forming coalitions and getting informed, in order to ensure that citizens have a part in redrawing their own districts.
“The only way this is going to happen is through citizen pressure,” she said.
Sen. Delph said he fully supports the proposal, saying he believes the people’s government should be reflective of the people, with their views and interests represented justly in Congress.
“Voters should pick their elected officials. Elected officials should not pick their voters,” he said.
For more, visit lwv.org/local-league/lwv-hamilton-county-0.