The Census Bureau on Thursday will release the data states will use to draw Statehouse and congressional district maps, after delays driven by COVID-19.
Indiana isn’t gaining or losing any congressional seats, but state legislative leaders will still have to redraw the maps to ensure all political districts contain roughly the same number of people after population changes.
What those maps look like matters: which districts Hoosiers are placed in can influence how likely a Republican or Democrat is likely to represent them in Congress and in the Statehouse, and how much influence each party has for the next 10 years.
They won’t be redrawn again until the 2030 Census.
Redistricting matters. Shortly after the last redistricting cycle, Republicans gained a supermajority in the House and have kept it in both chambers ever since.
Here’s how the process will play out in Indiana.
Who will draw the maps?
The General Assembly is tasked with approving new districts. Because Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers, Republican leaders will control the process.
That includes Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, House Speaker Todd Huston, House Elections and Apportionment Committee Chair Rep. Tim Wesco and Senate Elections Committee Chair Sen. Jon Ford.
