Indiana state legislature to meet next month to discuss redistricting despite lacking GOP support

Both chambers of Indiana's state legislature will reconvene next month to make a "final decision" on congressional redistricting, marking a reversal from the Senate's previous claim it did not have enough support to advance a new map and thereby would not meet.

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Republican, confirmed earlier this month that his party does not have the votes in the upper chamber necessary to advance the redistricting effort after eight GOP state senators said they would vote against it.

Still, Bray said Tuesday the Senate will meet in a special session on Dec. 8, which will come after the House meets on the issue next week. 

"The issue of redrawing Indiana's congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state," Bray said in a statement. "To resolve this issue, the Senate intends to reconvene as part of the regular 2026 session on Dec. 8 and make a final decision that week on any redistricting proposal sent from the House."

The reversal earned praise from President Donald Trump and Indiana GOP Gov. Mike Braun, who both pushed the state legislature to hold special sessions on redistricting and pass new maps.

"This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly convening to vote on fair maps," Braun said on X. "Hoosiers deserve to have fair representation in Washington and now the General Assembly needs to deliver a 9-0 map which will help level the playing field."

Republican leaders have launched redistricting efforts in multiple states this year, which would ideally help the GOP secure more seats in Congress during next year's midterms. Some Democratic-led states, like California, are redrawing their own maps in retaliation for potential conservative gains. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.