The 2020 General Assembly started last Monday, and it’s a short session this year. Our legislators will be packing up and heading home by early March. That leaves us very little time to reform redistricting before new legislative maps are drawn in 2021.
We hit the ground running on the first day of the session with a very successful Statehouse press conference to announce two redistricting reform bills being introduced by Sen. John Ruckelshaus-R, Dist.30. A bipartisan team of legislators attended who pledged their support for redistricting reform by publicly signing the End Gerrymandering Pledge, a national initiative championed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Eric Holder.
It’s extremely important we continue to make redistricting reform visible and keep it at the top of the legislative agenda. Citizens can help make a difference right now by joining the AllIN4Democracy Lobby Day on January 16.
WHAT: Redistricting Reform Lobby Day
WHEN: Thursday, January 16 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Indiana State Library, 315 West Ohio Street, History Reference Room
After a briefing on the status of the bills and some talking points, you are encouraged to walk across the street to the Statehouse and talk to your legislators about reform. It’s best to call their offices in advance and make an appointment. (One way to get their telephone numbers can be found at “Find Your Representative” on this website.)
At least two more Republican legislators, Rep. Woody Burton-R, Dist. 58, and Sen. Greg Walker-D, Dist. 41, have publicly signed the End Gerrymandering Pledge just this week. After the struggle to find support among Republicans over the last several years, this is great news! Please join us on January 16 to learn how to talk with your representatives about supporting this vital reform, then meet with them. They need to hear from us! Thank you.