Hoosier State Today

Common Cause, an organization focused on combating gerrymandering, has released a report evaluating the redistricting processes in all 50 states. The report assesses public access, outreach, and education based on over 120 surveys and more than 60 interviews.

Indiana received a grade of D. The report attributes this low score to hyperpartisanship, which it claims has resulted in district maps that do not reflect the state's demographics. Despite efforts by the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC), part of the All IN for Democracy coalition, the state legislature passed its own maps. These maps allegedly ignored public calls for an independent process. Hearings were held during work hours and were not accessible to virtual attendees. However, activists achieved minor successes due to public pressure from ICRC campaigns.

Dan Vicuña, Common Cause's national redistricting director, stated: “After a close look at all 50 states, this report shows more community voices produce better maps.” He emphasized that meaningful participation is key to fair elections.

The report evaluated both state-level and local redistricting processes where data was available. It examined factors such as accessibility, community group involvement, organizing landscape, and use of communities of interest criteria.

Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, commented: “Redistricting works best when people have influence over their voting districts.” She criticized Indiana leaders for prioritizing personal interests over public will and called for standards to prevent politically driven map drawing.

The report highlights independent citizen-led commissions as effective reforms. Such commissions are seen as prioritizing fair representation and community input over political control.

Authored by Common Cause along with Fair Count, State Voices, and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the report was published with collaboration from several organizations including the League of Women Voters and NAACP under CHARGE.