### Indiana's Redistricting Battle: Governor Mike Braun's Special Session Announcement Indiana Governor Mike Braun has called for a special legislative session to redraw the state's congressional maps, a move that comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration and the looming 2026 mid-term elections. This decision follows ongoing legal challenges to the current congressional map, which was established after the 2020 census and is accused of partisan gerrymandering. Braun's initiative aims to ensure compliance with constitutional standards and to prevent further court interventions, as the Republican Party seeks to solidify its control in the House of Representatives [https://diz.news/indiana-governor-calls-special-session-to-redraw-congressional-map][https://apnews.com/article/indiana-redistricting-special-session-braun-63f3447efcc34529dfc363a96a763b6e]. ### Structure of the Redistricting Initiative 1. **Announcement of Special Session**: - Governor Braun officially announced the special session on October 27, 2025, with the session set to begin on November 3, 2025 [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/indiana-gov-mike-braun-announces-special-session-include/story?id=126897545]. 2. **Motivation Behind the Redistricting**: - The redistricting effort is largely influenced by the Trump administration's push to help Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House, especially as the 2026 mid-term elections approach [https://www.blabber.buzz/global-news/1070347-red-state-governor-calls-special-session-on-redistricting-to-counter-moves-in-other-states]. 3. **Legal Context**: - The current congressional map is facing multiple legal challenges, which Braun aims to address through this special session to avoid further judicial scrutiny [https://diz.news/indiana-governor-calls-special-session-to-redraw-congressional-map]. 4. **Political Landscape**: - With Republicans holding supermajorities in both chambers of the Indiana Legislature, the redistricting process is expected to target the state's two Democratic representatives in its nine-member congressional delegation [https://apnews.com/article/indiana-redistricting-special-session-braun-63f3447efcc34529dfc363a96a763b6e]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Current Congressional Composition**: Indiana's congressional delegation consists of nine members, with two Democrats and seven Republicans. The redistricting aims to potentially increase the number of Republican seats [https://www.wlky.com/article/indiana-mike-braun-special-session-redrawing-boundaries/69164465]. - **Legal Challenges**: The existing map has been criticized for partisan gerrymandering, which has led to ongoing legal disputes that Braun's initiative seeks to resolve [https://diz.news/indiana-governor-calls-special-session-to-redraw-congressional-map]. - **National Context**: Indiana's move follows similar redistricting efforts in states like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, indicating a broader trend among Republican-led states to redraw maps in favor of their party ahead of the midterms [https://newsone.com/6566939/indiana-governor-calls-special-session-redistricting]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Indiana's Redistricting Efforts **Governor Mike Braun's call for a special session to redraw Indiana's congressional maps is a strategic move aimed at consolidating Republican power ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections.** 1. **Political Strategy**: The initiative is driven by the need to counteract Democratic representation and align with national Republican strategies [https://www.blabber.buzz/global-news/1070347-red-state-governor-calls-special-session-on-redistricting-to-counter-moves-in-other-states]. 2. **Legal Compliance**: By addressing the legal challenges to the current map, Braun aims to ensure that the new districts comply with constitutional standards [https://diz.news/indiana-governor-calls-special-session-to-redraw-congressional-map]. 3. **Future Outlook**: The outcome of this special session could significantly impact the balance of power in Congress, making it a critical event in the lead-up to the mid-terms [https://apnews.com/article/indiana-redistricting-special-session-braun-63f3447efcc34529dfc363a96a763b6e].