Background and procedural information
HB 1498. This bill would establish a non-partisan redistricting commission of 5 members for Indiana�s congressional and assembly districts.
Under the proposed legislation, are single-member districts a requirement or otherwise implied?
Implied. The bill requires a specific number of districts for house and senate, and requires the districts reflect equal population with no more than 1% deviation from ideal population.
Does the proposed legislation provide for Voting Rights Act compliance (e.g. can the commission use voter history information)?
Maybe. The bill requires considering the effect of plans on language and racial minority groups, but it criminalizes the use of political data in creating or evaluating plans.
Under the proposed legislation, how is the commission formed?
Commission members will be appointed by the speaker of the house, minority leader of the house, president pro tem of the senate, minority leader of the senate, and the chief justice of the state supreme court. Each of the appointing authorities shall appoint one individual to be a commission member. A member must be a resident of Indiana and may not have been a member of the general assembly, congress, a candidate for either, an appointed official, campaign manager, or lobbyist.
Under the proposed legislation, are competitive districts favored?
Neutral.
Under the proposed legislation, can members of the public submit plans?
Yes. The agency is required to publish and evaluate maps and suggestions submitted by the public.
Does the proposed legislation allow for mid-decade redistricting?
No.