Letter: New districts should be competitive, too

Thanks to the IBJ editorial board for advocating that the 2021 legislative redistricting process be transparent and nonpartisan. The Indiana Constitution requires that “all elections shall be free and equal.” To meet this standard, legislative leaders must take care to reflect equally the interests and representation of all citizens. Hoosiers should choose their elected representatives, rather than having elected officials choose their constituents.

Contrary to the editorial’s position, districts should also be made competitive to foster discussion and debate of crucial issues at the district level. Indiana’s current districts contribute to harmful polarization.

In the 2020 election, 40 out of 120 Indiana seats were uncontested. Further, Indiana voters gave the winning presidential and gubernatorial candidates 57% of their votes, while 43% chose other candidates. However, in the General Assembly, the election resulted in supermajorities of 71-29 in the House and 39-11 in the Senate, far exceeding the 57% statewide majority.

Sophisticated algorithms will be used to draw the next districts. Legislative leaders should use those algorithms to assure equal representation for the common good.•

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Martha Lamkin and Corrie Meyer