Phillip Goodchild
It’s almost kick-off time for the long awaited legislative redistricting process in Indiana. Thanks to hundreds of calls and emails from Hoosiers all across the state, the Senate and House Elections Committees have scheduled meetings to take public testimony on redistricting. This is not just a spectator sport where citizens passively watch as legislators draw the district maps that will be with us for the next ten years. If we want fair maps that favor neither political party and instead serve our communities, it is critically important that we turn out for these meetings and demand an open and fair process.
The Senate Elections Committee will be holding four meetings and the House Elections and Apportionment Committee will also hold four meetings, in different locations around the state. For those of us in the Indianapolis/Central Indiana area, there will be a joint committee hearing of both committees on Wednesday, August 11th, at 1 p.m. in the House Chambers of Indiana State House at 200 W. Washington in Indianapolis. Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting. You do not need to testify–although anyone is welcome to do so.
The other public meeting times are as follows, each taking place on their respective city’s Ivy Tech campus:
- Lafayette: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 6
- Anderson: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 6
- Valparaiso: 3-5 p.m. CDT Friday, Aug. 6
- Columbus: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6
- Fort Wayne: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 7
- Evansville: 9-11 a.m. CDT Saturday, Aug. 7
- Elkhart: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7
- Sellersburg: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7
You do not need to understand the ins and outs of redistricting. Just by showing up, you will send a clear message to legislators: we are watching them, and expect maps that serve the public interest, not their partisan interests.
For an excellent overview of redistricting and further motivation to get involved, here is a recent op-ed from The Republic newspaper in Brown County, co-written by Sunny Leerkamp. http://www.therepublic.com/2021/07/23/fair_redistricting_needed_in_indiana/ Sunny is a Quaker; she was long an active member at Noblesville Friends. She is playing a key role in trying to ensure a fair and transparent redistricting process in 2021, and we are fortunate to have a Friend involved in this effort.
For more information, please contact Phil Goodchild (goodch713@aol.com; 317-790-9054) Thank you.