FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — The Indiana House passed a highly contentious redistricting bill Friday that would give Republicans a 9-0 advantage in the state’s congressional races. House Bill 1032 cleared the chamber in a 57-41 vote, with all Democrats and twelve Republicans opposing the measure.
According to 21ALIVE, the bill proposes significant changes to several districts. In northeast Indiana, Noble and Whitley counties would move from District 3 to District 2, while Huntington, Wells, and Blackford counties would be reassigned to District 5. Marion County, the state’s most populous, would be split into four separate districts, altering its current representation in District 7.
Gov. Mike Braun praised the passage on X, formerly Twitter, calling the new map “fair” and urging the Senate to act quickly. “Fair maps are essential to protecting Hoosiers’ voices in Washington, and today the House voted to do just that, delivering a strong congressional map,” Braun wrote.
However, Democrats criticized the bill as a partisan power grab. House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta said Republicans had “rushed through cracked-and-packed maps that break up communities and dilute minority voices,” adding that voters are more concerned with everyday issues like utility costs and healthcare premiums than political maneuvering.
Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder echoed those concerns, saying the bill “tears apart communities, strips voters of representation they voted for, and hands control to national figures more interested in cementing absolute power than solving problems.”
State Senator Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) acknowledged the political nature of redistricting, stating, “Redistricting isn’t a math problem; it’s about politics, pure and simple.”
The Indiana Senate is scheduled to begin consideration of the bill on Monday.
