Voters Get Involved In Redistricting Effort

A local political group is optimistic after a recent push to get voters involved.  The League of Women Voters and Common Cause are united in an attempt to overhaul the way Indiana’s voting districts are set.  Last week the groups called on Hoosiers to participate in a mass call in and email effort urging lawmakers to take up the issue.

"I know when I called my own senator's office the person who answered the phone said 'Oh, we just took a call about this,'" says Debbie Asberry with the League of Women Voters.  Asberry says they are also encouraged because they’ve heard an Indiana senator will draft a proposal this session. 

The goal is to have an independent committee draw up voting districts, getting rid of the current method where the party in power at the time of redistricting draws lines.  This process is called gerrymandering, and Ashberry explains it originated when Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry sought to redraw district lines in 1812. The irregular shape of one district resembled a salamander.

The organizations have been holding conversation circles across the state to raise awareness. They believe Indiana’s voter participation would rise if the lines were drawn more fairly.