Amendment to secure fair electoral maps struck down

Today, Feb. 19, an amendment to create a two year task force to create a pathway to adopting non-partisan redistricting was blocked by the Supermajority. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 28-67.

State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement upon defeat of the amendment: 

“Creating a nonpartisan process to draw maps is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our democracy. Hoosiers should pick their elected officials, not the other way around. This amendment sought to begin studying a process to take the power to draw electoral maps out of the hands of those who benefit from gerrymandering.

“The current partisan redistricting process is inherently flawed, and a nonpartisan redistricting process would fix that by bringing more competition to Indiana’s legislative races. 

“Gerrymandering erodes the power of the people. Allowing a nonpartisan process to draw maps would protect the American promise that every vote matters.”