Pro-democracy groups plan sit-in Thursday at Indiana Statehouse to protest redistricting push by Vance

Staff report

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — August 6, 2025

A coalition of pro-democracy organizations is planning a daylong sit-in at the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday to protest efforts by Republican leaders to redraw the state’s congressional maps years ahead of schedule.

The protest, titled “Statehouse Sit-In: No Cheaters in Democracy,” is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St. in downtown Indianapolis. The demonstration comes amid growing speculation that Gov. Mike Braun may call a special legislative session at the urging of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Redistricting in Indiana is not required again until 2031, following the 2030 census. But Trump and Vance are reportedly lobbying GOP-controlled states to redraw their maps early to increase Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“Indiana already has some of the most gerrymandered maps in the country,” MADVoters, one of the organizing groups, said in a statement. “Now they’re trying to rig it even further. This isn’t democracy — it’s a power grab.”

Vice President Vance is expected to visit Indianapolis on Thursday to meet with Braun to discuss redistricting, though no meeting time has been publicly confirmed. Protest organizers are encouraging participants to arrive early and remain throughout the day.

Democratic lawmakers and officials have sharply criticized the proposal. State Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, issued a statement Tuesday calling the redistricting plan “desperate and arrogant.”

“You have to be pretty desperate to decide that having seven of Indiana’s nine congressional seats held by Republicans is not enough,” Pierce said. “President Trump and Vice President Vance are willing to cheat to win the midterm elections, and they’re not even trying to hide it.”

The controversy in Indiana mirrors ongoing conflict in Texas, where Democratic lawmakers fled the state to block a Republican redistricting vote. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers, and Trump has publicly suggested using the FBI to locate and detain them.

In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul hosted the Texas Democrats in Albany and warned that the redistricting fight could have national consequences.

“We are at war,” Hochul said during a press conference. “This is about protecting democracy.”

Protesters in Indiana are expected to include students, voting rights advocates, and members of several pro-democracy coalitions.

“Democracy doesn’t protect itself,” organizers said. “We have to show up and defend it.”

WHAT TO KNOW:

• Event: Statehouse Sit-In: No Cheaters in Democracy
• Date: Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025
• Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
• Purpose: Protest against potential special legislative session to redraw congressional maps

The Indiana General Assembly is not scheduled to reconvene until January 2026.

The post Pro-democracy groups plan sit-in Thursday at Indiana Statehouse to protest redistricting push by Vance first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.