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Dear Editor:
How many times have we heard our kids say, “That’s not fair!” during a board game or when decisions are made?
Indiana is in the middle of a national power grab. While Texas may be at the forefront, Vice President JD Vance met with Governor Braun in August to discuss the Indiana electoral map. The governor has called a special legislative session which began Monday, Dec. 1 that could erase the two seats held by Democrats in Indiana.
The Indiana General Assembly redraws district lines once every decade based on our Census, an objective, fair way to determine where the lines should land. The last map was drawn in 2020. Why should legislators take taxpayer dollars to fund a special session to artificially redraw these maps five years early?
Indiana Republicans are inches from gerrymandering – essentially reverse-engineering the maps to get the outcome they want rather than having maps accurately reflect the voices and ideology of the entire state.
Neither party should force maps to gain political power.
Both former Republican Governor Mitch Daniels and Speaker of the House Brian Bosma have expressed concern about convening a special session to redraw the maps.
Some may ask why Westfield residents should care. Losing representative André Carson from his district would mean that his annual job fair would disappear. This job fair allows Hoosiers to connect with potential employers and land critical jobs. In the current economy, every job matters and every Hoosier matters.
People may say, “Well, it’s only two seats.” Most Hoosiers are not in favor of gerrymandering. Our legislature is supposed to represent us. If we choose to remain quiet, what will Hoosiers be forced to give up next?
Gerrymandering is cheating. When your son ‘accidently’ turns the dice to land on “Free Parking” you call him out. The governor needs to be called out, too.
Amy Jones
Westfield