Shackleford condemns House for voting down amendments to protect voter equity

Today, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) criticized the House for voting down two amendments she offered to House Bill 1032, which would have added essential transparency and legal protections to the redistricting process. Her amendments required a district-specific analysis to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act and a racial and ethnic equity impact note to assess how the proposal could affect Black and Latino Hoosiers. Both amendments were voted down.

Shackleford released the following statement on the amendments: 

“These amendments were simple and responsible. They did not block redistricting. They only required the legislature to review the data and make sure the maps do not discriminate against anyone. If the majority insists on pushing this process forward, then the least we can do is check the facts and protect the rights of the people we represent. The refusal to adopt even these basic safeguards is deeply disappointing and it undermines public trust in a process that should be fair, transparent and accountable to every Hoosier.

“Without these safeguards, the new redistricting plan will move forward with no requirement to evaluate its impact on minority communities and no obligation to verify compliance with federal law prior to implementation.

“I remain committed to advocating for equitable representation and encourage Hoosiers to stay engaged and informed as the process continues.”