Indiana Gov. Mike Braun on Monday called the state’s legislature back for a redistricting session starting next week, the latest Republican-controlled state to do so amid a flurry of mid-decade congressional map-drawing this year.
The special session, set to start Nov. 3, would allow the state to redraw its nine House seats, two of which are currently held by Democrats.
“I am calling a special legislative session to protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair,” Braun, a Republican former senator, said in his announcement.
Indiana could become the fourth GOP-led state to redraw its congressional maps ahead of the midterms elections next year, when new maps could help tip control of the tightly divided House.
Democrats and aligned groups have criticized the broader redistricting push, and in some states have vowed to redraw their own congressional maps.
Republicans control the Indiana legislature as well as the governor’s office and can pass the map without Democratic support.
Republicans are currently targeting Democratic Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, who holds a swing seat in the state’s northwest corner. But some Republicans have been pushing for a 9-0 map that would also redraw the Indianapolis-anchored seat held by Democrat André Carson.
Vice President JD Vance has visited the state several times to discuss redistricting, and Trump himself has spoken with legislators about the issue.
Braun’s announcement comes days after Republicans in the North Carolina legislature finalized a new map targeting the seat held by Democrat Don Davis. That followed redistricting efforts by Republicans in Missouri and Texas that collectively target about half a dozen Democratic-held seats.
Those efforts have been met by court challenges in both state and federal courts.
Democrats on Monday criticized Indiana’s move to take up mid-decade redistricting.
“Hoosiers do not want a mid-decade gerrymander. Indiana legislators now have a choice: stand up for their constituents by rejecting a mid-decade gerrymander or cave to the White House by undermining the voting rights of their constituents,” John Bisognano, the president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said in a statement.
On the other side of the aisle, California Democrats passed a redrawn map targeting Republican-held seats that state voters will weigh in on next week, and Virginia legislators have started a process to allow for redistricting next year.
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