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Bill

HB 1032

Concerning school district elections.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by April Berg and 18 co-sponsors

HB 1032 sets new Indiana congressional districts for 2026, speeds appellate review of apportionment cases, and requires transition rules and administrative support for elections.

Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 4:00 PM.
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Bill Summary · HB 1032

Summary — HB 1032 (Redistricting)

Status: First reading; referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Classification: Bill — Redistricting

Main purpose

HB 1032 revises when and how Indiana’s congressional districts may be adopted or changed and establishes procedures that govern legal challenges to the apportionment of congressional and General Assembly districts. It also implements a new congressional map and provides transitional election administration rules for 2026.

Key provisions

  • Timing for congressional redistricting

    • Removes the strict requirement that congressional districts be established only “at the first regular session of the General Assembly convening immediately after the decennial census.” The General Assembly may amend congressional districts at other times.

  • New congressional map and transition

    • Establishes new Indiana congressional districts (text or map is included in the bill).
    • Provides that the current congressional district descriptions expire on the date of the 2026 general election.
    • For the 2026 primary and general elections only, a precinct may cross a congressional district boundary (temporary accommodation to facilitate implementation).

  • Litigation rules for apportionment challenges (new mandatory procedures)

    • Creates special procedural rules for any action challenging apportionment of congressional or General Assembly districts:
    • Temporary restraining orders may not be sought or issued.
    • The Indiana Supreme Court has mandatory, exclusive jurisdiction over appeals from injunctions or final judgments invalidating apportionment.
    • Any appeal of an order affecting apportionment is automatically stayed pending resolution by the Supreme Court; parties may seek stay relief only in the Supreme Court.
    • Apportionment cases and appeals must be given priority on the court calendar.
    • Legislative findings supporting these rules (compelling state interest in orderly elections, necessity of prompt final resolution).

  • Election administration support

    • Requires the Election Division to assist county voter registration offices with implementation of the act and the transition to the new districts.

  • Technical/related changes

    • Makes conforming and technical amendments to several election code sections to reflect the timing and implementation changes.

Who is affected

  • Voters: may be assigned to different congressional districts effective with the 2026 general election; for 2026 elections precinct boundaries may temporarily cross district lines.
  • Candidates and political parties: new district boundaries will affect campaign plans, filing, and nominating processes.
  • County election officials and the state Election Division: responsible for implementing new boundaries, updating voter files, and administering 2026 elections under transitional rules.
  • Courts and litigants: the bill substantially alters judicial procedures for apportionment litigation (limits TROs; funnels appeals to the state supreme court).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Effective upon passage (per bill language).
  • Current district descriptions expire on the date of the 2026 general election; the new districts govern thereafter.
  • Special litigation rules apply to any apportionment challenge, with automatic stays and Supreme Court exclusivity intended to produce a single, expedited review.

Potential impacts (practical)

  • Administrative: counties will need to update voter rolls, precinct assignments, and ballots; the Election Division must support implementation.
  • Legal: the bill narrows lower-court relief and centralizes final review in the state supreme court, which may accelerate finality but limits interim relief options.
  • Political: changing the timing and map could influence the partisan composition of seats and candidate strategies for 2026 and beyond.

If you want, I can:
- Extract and summarize the proposed congressional district descriptions included in the bill; or
- Outline specific steps county election offices will need to take to comply with the transition for 2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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