Debate over redistricting gets shut down in House

INDIANAPOLIS — House Democrats were blocked Thursday from amending a bill to transfer redistricting responsibilities to a nonpartisan agency on grounds that it did not fit in the bill.

An amendment, which was proposed by Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, would give the Legislative Services Agency, a nonpartisan state agency, the responsibility of drawing new district lines. The LSA would be able to submit up to three map proposals that would leave out any political consideration.

Senate Bill 398 looks at a lot of different election matters, including clarifying seals on ballots and other issues.

Many Democrats claim that the current mapping system, in which district lines are determined by state lawmakers, unjustly favors Republicans because they hold the supermajority in the Statehouse.

Read more: http://thestatehousefile.com/44801/debate-over-redistricting-gets-shut-down-in-house/