INDIANAPOLIS | Senate Republican leaders on Thursday proposed changing how Indiana draws its legislative boundaries to correct what they say is a public perception the process is too political.
"Right now, the Constitution requires the Legislature to draw the maps, and we'll do that," said Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne. "If done properly, the perception is that it will be less political."
To do it "properly," state Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, said she will introduce legislation requiring district boundaries to meet certain criteria, including: preserving traditional neighborhoods, keeping "communities of interest" together, protecting minority voting rights, establishing compact and sensibly shaped districts and trying not to split county or precinct boundaries.
Lawson wants her changes approved when the General Assembly convenes in January, so lawmakers will have to use the criteria during the 2011 redistricting.
The proposed changes are similar to a redistricting plan Republican Secretary of State Todd Rokita has promoted. However, Rokita said the Senate Republicans ignore "the moose on the table" by not imposing criminal penalties for using voting history or incumbent addresses for partisan purposes.
Long disagrees. Simply putting boxes on a map and ignoring voting history could actually create less competitive districts and possibly illegal districts that run afoul of the Voting Rights Act, he said.
Looking beyond 2011, state Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, has proposed creating a special study committee to examine redistricting "best practices" used by other states.
The study committee also would be empowered to recommend creating a permanent Redistricting Commission, which would draw the lines instead of the General Assembly. That change would require a state constitutional amendment and couldn't be done until at least 2012.
Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, said Indiana shouldn't wait until 2021 for a redistricting commission. The Legislature could create one now and follow its recommendations without having to change the constitution, she said.
The state and federal constitutions require legislative district boundaries to be redrawn after the census is taken every 10 years. Current Indiana law only requires all portions of a legislative district be contiguous.
