INDIANAPOLIS — In a vote of 31-19, the Indiana Senate rejected a bill to redraw the maps for U.S. Congressional districts.
The final vote came on Thursday for the redistricting bill that has divided lawmakers and sparked heated debate across the state.
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The vote comes after months of political tension and follows the bill's advancement without any amendments.
Following the final vote, statements poured in from lawmakers and organizations:
Governor Mike Braun
I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump. Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences. I will…
— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) December 11, 2025
Congressman André Carson (IN-07)
God is good. To anyone who has wondered if prayer, calling your elected officials, showing up to rallies, and speaking out is effective, let this be confirmation that yes, the people have power. Thousands of Hoosiers contacted their state legislators to voice their opposition to…
— André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) December 11, 2025
LT. Governor Micah Beckwith
Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith’s Statement pic.twitter.com/msd4a8whP4
— Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith (@LGMicahBeckwith) December 11, 2025
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville)
"Indiana Senate Republicans want to see a Republican majority in congress at the midterms. The issue before us today was how to get there, and many of my caucus members don't think redrawing our Congressional map mid-cycle is a guaranteed way for Indiana – or our country – to achieve that outcome.
"We support President Trump, and we are with him on many important issues like immigration enforcement and public safety, and Hoosiers will see legislation from our caucus this session that works in partnership with the federal government to further those efforts.
"Further, we are grateful for the way President Trump speaks about our great nation full of good people.
"It's time to turn the page. Hoosiers need leadership from their state government that will continue to improve our education system and make life more affordable for Hoosiers."
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne)
"I am grateful that Hoosiers, not Washington, D.C., prevailed today. Today is proof that your voice matters in our state government.
"Now that the Senate has rejected mid-decade redistricting, it's time for state lawmakers to focus on solving what Hoosiers have been begging us to fix: the rising cost of living and impact of tariffs on our economy. Indiana House Democrats are ready to lower the cost of utilities, housing, health care and child care. Let's get to work for Hoosier wallets!"
State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC)
"Now that the issue of redistricting is finally behind us, it's time to move on and fight for Hoosiers. This has been a distraction for months, and now, I'm looking forward to working with my caucus and the IBLC to make life better for people throughout the state. The cost of living is simply too high, utility rates are soaring and child care is completely unaffordable – if you can find child care at all. There's no shortage of issues that Hoosiers are facing every day, and it's time we get to work to fix them."
Indiana Conservation Voters
“Today is a win for Hoosiers, and a win for our democracy. Lawmakers listened and made the right choice, and we are grateful.
“By halting this unnecessary and deeply unpopular attempt to redraw Indiana’s Congressional maps mid-decade, the Senate affirmed what people across our state have been saying for months: Hoosier leaders need to be focused on issues that affect our everyday lives, not a misguided plan to redraw maps that were just drawn four years ago.
“Washington’s effort to carve up our communities and shift political power for partisan gain was the wrong approach from the start. We’re grateful to every Hoosier who showed up—in the cold, at committee hearings, via calls and emails—to make their voices heard. That advocacy is why we celebrate today.
“Now, we can finally put this chapter behind us and get back to work on what really matters: lowering energy bills and addressing affordability. Indiana faces real challenges, and Hoosiers have said time and again over the past four months that we want our leaders focused on solving them.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) December 12, 2025
Background on Indiana's Redistricting Debate
The renewed redistricting effort follows calls from President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance for Indiana Republicans to approve a mid-cycle map change.
Supporters of the proposal argue that a new map could result in two additional Republican-held U.S. House seats. The GOP currently holds seven of the state's nine congressional districts.
Controversial Marion County Split
One of the most contentious aspects of the proposed maps involves Marion County, which would be split among four congressional districts instead of the current two.
Currently, the 7th District is located entirely in Marion County and is represented by Democratic Rep. Andre Carson. Under the proposed boundaries, the 7th would still include portions of Marion County but would extend southeast to the Ohio River.
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus has called the new maps "a dilution of Black votes."
"In Marion County, where we have one congressional person that we go to, one Black congressional person, now individuals are going to have to go to four different congressional people just to serve one county," said Democratic State Rep. Robin Shackleford.
Dr. Greg Shufeldt, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Indianapolis, warned that the changes could reduce civic engagement statewide and eliminate competitive districts.
"Drawing the districts like these proposed maps would surely decrease the ability to have descriptive representation for Hoosiers — to have an elected official that looks like them," Shufeldt said.
Political Pressure and Rising Threats
The redistricting debate has been marked by intense political pressure. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray previously said the Senate GOP caucus did not have enough votes to advance a redistricting plan.
Trump has criticized Bray and other Republican senators publicly, including labeling Bray a "Complete and Total RINO," and threatening to support primary challengers against those who oppose the effort.
The political tension has been accompanied by an alarming increase in threats against state officials. Multiple senators — along with Governor Mike Braun — have been targets of swatting attempts, bomb threats, or other harassment in recent weeks.
Governor Braun's Continued Pressure
Governor Mike Braun has been one of the strongest voices urging lawmakers to vote on redistricting, repeatedly calling for what he describes as "fair maps." Braun has also drawn criticism from Trump in recent weeks, but continues to pressure senators to take up the proposal.
Today's session begins at 1:30 p.m., with the outcome likely to determine whether Indiana moves forward with new congressional maps or maintains its current district boundaries through the next election cycle.
For more on the redistricting debate, click here.
