Indiana lawmakers would use rules to draw voting districts

Lawmakers would draw initial district maps using population and boundary rules. The maps cover Indiana House, Indiana Senate, and U.S. House districts. Initial state districts could be no more than 2% above or below their target population; congressional districts must be as equal as practical. Districts must be connected and as compact as practical. Initial maps cannot split voting precincts. The rules would take effect July 1, 2026.

Lawmakers could change initial maps while passing them into law, even if the changes depart from the bill's drawing rules. This option covers Indiana House, Indiana Senate, and U.S. House maps. Lawmakers must publicly explain and document each reason for departing from the bill's rules. Federal voting law would still apply. This option would apply while lawmakers pass the maps into law, beginning July 1, 2026.

Indiana lawmakers would have a limited window to set or change district maps. The limit covers Indiana House, Indiana Senate, and U.S. House districts. A court order invalidating part of a district plan would allow an exception. The allowed session would be the first regular session after each federal 10-year census; the provision would take effect July 1, 2026.

People drawing initial maps would consider effects on racial and language minority groups and could not use sitting lawmakers' home addresses. The initial drawing rules cover Indiana House, Indiana Senate, and U.S. House maps. Mapmakers must consider effects on racial and language minority groups as federal voting law requires. While passing the maps into law, lawmakers could depart from the bill's rules if they publicly explain and document each reason. Federal voting law would still apply. These rules would take effect July 1, 2026.