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REGISTER HERE

Let’s fill the statehouse again on January 28 to let our legislators—elected to represent us—know what we think. We have again invited other non-partisan groups to join us for our second DEMOCRACY DAY, increasing our numbers and our presence.

January 29 is the last day for bills in their chamber of origin, so we will have a good sense of what is moving in this short session. We will hold apreview sessionin advance (either January 14 or 19)which will offer guidance on setting up appointments with your legislators— watch for the zoom registration announcement which will be going out to advocates and attendees.

The League Day keynote will address data centers and their environmental demands. Table talks will include election issues, education, and environmental issues.

Confirmed speakers/table talk leaders include:

Julia Vaughn -Common Cause Indiana

Nathan Gotsch -Independent Indiana

Joel Hand -Indiana Coalition for Public Education

Kerwin Olson -Citizens Action Coalition

REDISTRICTING IS STILL AN ISSUE IN INDIANA!

A CALL TO ACTION

The impetus to redistrict mid-cycle may resurface for similar partisan goals yet this decade. We can rejoice that our collaborative efforts defeated redrawn Congressional maps in December, but we need to take steps to ensure that redistricting takes place only after the decennial census or when a judge has ruled that a new map is necessary for constitutional compliance.

With LWVIN, plaintiffs included eight individual League members whose voices in the redrawn First and Seventh Congressional Districts would have been silenced. Defendants would have been Secretary of State Diego Morales, Indiana’s chief election official; Beth Boyce, Suzannah Wilson Overholt, John Westercamp, and Karen Celestino-Horseman, members of the Indiana Election Commission (“IEC”).

The suit contends that the redrawn Congressional map violates multiple provisions of the Indiana Constitution:

Article 1, Section 1

WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that all power is inherent in the People; and that all free governments are, and of right ought to be, founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and well-being. For the advancement of these ends, the People have, at all times, an indefeasible right to alter and reform their government.

Article 2, Section 1

“All elections shall be free and equal”

Congressional districts must be as equal in population as possible

Article 1, Section 9

“[n]o law shall be passed, restraining the free interchange of thought and opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write or print, freely, on any subject whatever.” –including in the voting booth.

Article 1, Section 23

“[t]he General Assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.”

We need to be prepared if mid-cycle redistricting returns!