(Indianapolis, IN) - An amendment that would create a two-year task force to create a pathway to adopting non-partisan redistricting was defeated today by Indiana House Republicans.

The vote, blasted by Democrats was 67 to 28,. 

“Republicans are clinging to the power that partisan redistricting gives them,” said State Representative Matt Pierce (D) of Bloomington, who also called the current redistricting process “inherently flawed.”

“Elected officials, including legislators, have an inherent conflict of interest when they draw their own districts. Partisan redistricting makes general elections largely irrelevant, shifting control of elections to the most partisan primary voters. This results in a General Assembly that does not reflect the views of a majority of Hoosiers. It’s time to return the power to choose our elected officials to the people,” he said.

Pierce said Indiana ranked last in the 2022 election for voter turnout.

“Perhaps, Indiana voters don’t vote because the Republican-drawn maps allow for little to no competition in our elections. My amendment would have made many more elections competitive, giving people more reasons to participate in our democracy,” he said.