Opposition is mounting against a potential special legislative session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections, with several state leaders and organizations voicing concerns about what they call a politically motivated power grab.
Democratic leaders have strongly denounced the idea. House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta said his caucus has been hearing widespread objections.
“All we’ve heard from our constituents since this became an issue is that they are opposed,” GiaQuinta said in a statement. “To my Republican colleagues, I ask: Are you going to listen to Hoosiers or are you going to bow to Donald Trump?”
State Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend, echoed that sentiment, criticizing the proposed redistricting as a move to benefit national politics rather than Indiana residents.
“This is not about representing Hoosiers — it’s about representing Trump. And it comes at the expense of taxpayers,” Bauer said.
State Rep. Chris Campbell, D-West Lafayette, also rejected the effort, pointing to the potential cost and constitutional questions surrounding mid-decade redistricting.
“I am strongly opposed to mid-decade redistricting. It’s unconstitutional, costly and flat-out wrong,” Campbell said. “As a legislator, I never imagined the sitting Vice President of our nation would visit Indiana’s leadership and outright ask for more Republican seats. I would be shocked and opposed if either party did this. It’s a power grab that puts politics before Hoosiers.”
Campbell added that Gov. Mike Braun had previously said he would listen to legislators about the issue, and that Democrats have been united in their opposition.
According to Politico, Gov. Braun has publicly said that “no commitments” have been made regarding a special session.
Push for redistricting gains traction among some Republicans
While opposition is strong, some Republicans have signaled support for redrawing the maps. Former U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) posted on social media that it was time for Indiana to act.
“It’s time for us to drop the gloves. At this moment, our state has the opportunity to give conservative Hoosiers the representation in D.C. they deserve,” Stutzman wrote.
US Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Ind.), however, publicly stated his opposition to the plan on X.
“I have heard from several folks and want to be clear on my position. I am a hard ‘no’ on potential efforts to redraw electoral maps in Indiana mid-decade,” Lopez said in a post shared by multiple local outlets.
Republican strategist Andrew Ireland argued that changes are necessary to offset the advantages Democrats have gained through gerrymandering in other states.
“I think there’s a strategic disadvantage at the national level for Republicans in Congress because of partisan gerrymandering in other states like our neighbor, Illinois,” Ireland told WFYI.
Thousands of signatures delivered to state leaders
Public opposition has also grown in recent weeks. A coalition of grassroots organizations led by Indiana Conservation Voters and Common Cause Indiana delivered nearly 9,000 signatures to the Statehouse. The petitions represent residents from all 92 counties and every House and Senate district, urging Braun and lawmakers to reject outside interference.
“Indiana isn’t a playground for electoral shenanigans, and we won’t let Washington outsiders tell us how to run our state,” said Megan Robertson, executive director of Indiana Conservation Voters. “Hoosiers play fair. We believe in honest elections, fair maps and a democracy that works for all of us.”
Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, said the effort reflects widespread frustration.
“This is nothing more than a partisan power grab initiated by out-of-state interests who don’t want Hoosier voters fairly represented,” Vaughn said. “It’s a distraction from the real issues facing Hoosiers.”
What’s next
Braun has so far taken a “wait and see” approach while considering whether to call a special session. The final decision will determine if Indiana joins other states facing national pressure to change congressional districts mid-decade.
Polling cited by advocacy groups shows a majority of Hoosiers oppose reopening the maps and want lawmakers to focus instead on issues like cost of living, energy prices and property taxes.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
