Please join Women4Change Indiana District 2, Common Cause Indiana and Indiana Vote by Mail (VBM) for a Voting Fair Fare as we discuss how gerrymandering negatively affects our political system in Indiana. We'll learn bi-partisan ways we can fight this issue together.
Redistricting reform to end gerrymandering in Indiana
Voter participation and voting rights
Civic education
"Redistricting Reform 101" featuring Julia Vaughn, Policy Director, Common Cause Indiana
Women4Change Indiana is supporting the ongoing efforts of Common Cause Indiana, Indiana Coalition for Independent Redistricting, and League of Women Voters Indiana to advance redistricting reform. The 2018 legislative session will be a pivotal time for redistricting reform in Indiana, and we need to keep pressuring our legislators.
Gerrymandering creates an unfair electoral advantage for the majority party. A 2014 study by the Univ. of Chicago found that Indiana’s House districts are among the most gerrymandered. In 2012, Democratic candidates received a total of 999,219 votes, Republicans received 1,342,237 votes. If districts were fairly drawn, this would work out to Democrats holding 43% of the House districts, with Republicans holding a 57% majority. But with gerrymandering, Republicans held a 69% majority (which has climbed to 70% currently).
In this seminar, Julia Vaughn of Common Cause will provide an in-depth overview of the redistricting issue and will discuss some of the objections that legislators and other opponents have made. She'll also review ways you can respond to those objections. Our goal is for participants to leave this seminar feeling confident that they can talk about this issue with their peers and legislators.
"A Vote for Democracy" featuring Bonnie Horlander, Indiana Vote By Mail (VBM)
The grassroots movement toward VBM is catching on in Indiana! A bipartisan initiative, VBM can save Indiana taxpayers upwards of 14 million dollars, eliminates concerns of voter fraud, creates more informed voters, eliminates long voter lines, and provides the convenience that encourages a notable increase in voter participation. And with Vote by Mail everyone has a choice, vote from home or vote at a polling site.
VBM removes barriers created by disability, job conflicts, inclement weather, constraints of aging, and access to polling places. Indiana was last among the states for voter turnout at 26.7%, compared to 54% in Colorado, a VBM state. VBM can provide a better opportunity for all eligible Hoosiers to participate in the voting process and have their voices heard.