<p>INDIANAPOLIS — Voting rights activists are calling on Indiana legislative leaders to give the public a month for reviewing proposed new congressional and state election district maps before they are finalized.</p>
<p>Members of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission organized by Common Cause and other groups issued a report Wednesday calling for greater public involvement in the once-a-decade redrawing of election maps based on population changes.</p>
<p>The Republican-dominated Legislature plans a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-redistricting-elections-census-2020-f8457fd8a34122206e21359cd589b2cd">fall return to the Statehouse</a> for votes on the new maps, with the process being delayed because the U.S. Census Bureau won’t release <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-census-bureau-alabama-census-2020-lifestyle-health-cd8cba1b8a4c3a40527e9e9690367ac3">data for congressional and legislative redistricting</a> until perhaps September following COVID-19 pandemic delays.</p>
<p>Common Cause Indiana policy director Julia Vaughn said the Legislature should use the coming months to hold hearings around the state for public comment.</p>
<p>“Once you have proposals available, slow the process down,” Vaughn said. “Give people at least 30 days to understand and give feedback on what the Legislature has proposed.”</p>
<p>Republican legislative leaders have said public hearings will be held about redistricting but haven’t given details. They didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.</p>
