Indiana House Republicans Release Draft Redistricting Map

The House has reconvened as of today to kickoff the redistricting process.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana House Republicans have released their draft redistricting plan. 

The Republican-controlled House returned to session today to take action on the congressional redistricting pushed by President Donald Trump. 

"House Republicans will gavel in on Monday, Dec. 1, reconvening the 2026 regular session. All legislative business will be considered beginning next week, including redrawing the state's congressional map. Because session will start early this year, we plan to adjust the calendar and complete our legislative business by the end of February," said Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers). 

The draft redistricting plan would create another GOP-leaning congressional district. In Indiana, Republicans currently hold a 7–2 advantage in the U.S. House delegation, but proponents of redistricting are aiming for a 9-0 version. 

"The issue of redrawing Indiana's congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state. To resolve this issue, the Senate intends to reconvene as part of the regular 2026 session on Dec. 8 and make a final decision that week on any redistricting proposal sent from the House. Because we will reconvene as part of the regular 2026 legislative session, we anticipate concluding our regular 2026 session by the end of February," said Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville). 

Locally, State Senator Randy Maxwell (R-Guilford) has shown his support for mid-cycle redistricting, while fellow State Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) opposes. 

Back in October, Maxwell released the following statement: 

"After careful consideration and hearing from constituents, I believe the time is right redraw Indiana’s congressional districts," Maxwell said in a statement. "I am in full support of President Trump and his initiatives, and I think it is important that we strengthen conservative representation, aligning with President Trump’s vision for fair maps that reflect our values and bolster the Make America Great Again agenda."

Leising released this statement regarding the issue: 

I am very disappointed with the Nov. 25 email that announced the Senate will go into session on Monday, Dec. 8 through Dec. 11 when we will be asked to consider congressional redistricting maps that we have not yet seen. In addition, we are encouraged to start 2026 committee meetings, and we expect the 2026 session will end in February rather than March.

I have not caved on the redistricting issue, as only 7% of my constituents support the mid-cycle effort by partisan groups led by Washington, D. C. I have personally heard from my constituents that they are receiving extremely negative texts, phone calls and mailers. In addition, senators have had a visit from Vice President Vance and a phone call with President Trump. Many of our senators have experienced swatting, a very dangerous and intimidating process.

The current maps were drawn after the last census in 2021 with 36 senators supporting them. Seven of the nine congressional seats are now Republican, but political types want nine of nine, despite the desires of Indiana residents. Other states that have passed redistricted maps cannot use their new maps as they are in the courts now.

It is disappointing that redistricting is taking attention away from issues relevant to my constituents. Most would hope we could focus on the cost of living, the availability of affordable rural health care and good jobs so they can provide for their families.

I will not cave on my position against redistricting but will stay focused on the needs of my seven-county district and the state of Indiana. I will be fighting for all of you in this early session!

Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington), speaking for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement Tuesday after House Republicans released their proposed congressional map: 

“The map is out, and Hoosiers deserve honesty about what it represents. This is not redistricting. It is rigging. House Republicans did not draw this map to reflect the will of the people. They drew it to produce results that President Trump wants. It is cheating, not competing, and it strips Hoosiers of the most basic power they have in a democracy: the ability to choose who represents them. 

“While families across Indiana are asking for help with rising utility bills, housing costs that price them out of their communities, health care and child care they cannot afford, this proposed map focuses on protecting one man by taking power away from Hoosiers and handing it to D.C. insiders. They ignored the issues Hoosiers begged them to address and spent their time creating a political map that protects themselves instead of the people they serve. 

“Our democracy works only when voters choose their leaders. It collapses when politicians erase elected officials, redraw districts for their friends and cheat the system to replace your choice with theirs. No president, no party and no rigged map created behind closed doors can replace the voice of the people. Hoosiers built this state. Hoosiers power this state. And Hoosiers will not be erased from this state."