A Hoosier Victory Shows the Power of Grassroots Democracy

In a time when redistricting fights can feel inevitable, communities in Indiana, of all places, proved something powerful: organized local action still works.

This victory against unfair redistricting didn’t come from the top down. It came from neighbors, volunteers, and everyday Hoosiers who refused to accept maps drawn to dilute their voices. It was the people who came together to make their voices heard. Hoosier residents took time off work, weathered winter weather, and showed up at the statehouse to demand better. Democrat, Republican, Independent and the like had the same message: Washington D.C. doesn’t get to tell us what to do.

At the heart of this effort were local grassroots organizers, including incredible work done here by MADVoters. These groups stepped up when it mattered most. They didn’t wait for national attention or big donors. Instead, they focused on the fundamentals of democracy:

• Educating voters about how redistricting affects real representation. We were not swayed by abstract politics, and we didn’t buy in to stock excuses that “InDiAnA iS rEd” or “This is how you keep political power.” It isn’t and it’s not. Indiana, like all states, is composed of all sorts of voters, and few of them believe that one party should get to solidify power in the long-run. The only power in this democracy should be that of the people.

  
  

• Mobilizing community members to attend hearings, submit public comments, and show up consistently. We heard speaker after speaker talk about the ridiculousness of the proposed maps, with very few voices on the “pro” side. It was clear where Hoosiers stood, and we are grateful to any community member who lended their literal voice to this effort.

  
  

• Building coalitions across cities, campuses, and neighborhoods to present a united front. Senator Mike Young would have you believe anyone in the statehouse was a “Paid Soros protestor.” Let us know when your checks show up, will ya?

  
  

• Holding lawmakers accountable by documenting processes, sharing clear data, and demanding transparency. While Senator Garten can yell at the top of his lungs to his colleagues, Senator Brown can somehow twist the argument of maps to be about abortion (your guess is as good as ours?), and Senator Gaskill can try tired repetitive line after tired repetitive line (yes, all real things that happened on the Senate floor), we didn’t buy it. The members of their own party didn’t buy it. 

MADVoters and allied grassroots groups helped translate complex redistricting language into plain, actionable information. They trained volunteers, empowered first-time advocates, and made sure young voters and marginalized communities were not sidelined. That kind of sustained, local pressure matters, especially in state-level fights that can fly under the national radar.

This victory is a reminder that democracy isn’t defended only in elections. It’s defended in community meetings, late-night organizing calls, door-to-door conversations, and persistent public engagement. When people show up together, even entrenched systems can be challenged. 

Indiana’s win against unfair redistricting sends a clear message: grassroots power works. And organizations like MADVoters prove that when local communities lead, real change follows. 

If you’re wondering whether your voice matters, this is your answer. And if that voice can make a difference in a state like Indiana, it really and truly can make a difference anywhere and everywhere. Indiana as a national leader against gerrymandering was NOT our 2025 BINGO card, but we couldn’t be happier with the win. 

If you want to send your senator, or any senator a thank you note, feel free to use the following template. 

Dear Senator [Last Name]:

Hello. My name is [your name], and I am a resident of [your city or town]. As a Hoosier, I am writing to thank you for your work this week and for taking the time to serve our district.

[Optional: If you have a personal note, add it here. You might mention a specific vote, statement, meeting, or issue you appreciated, or briefly explain why this issue matters to you or your community.]

I appreciate your willingness to listen to constituents and engage with the concerns of everyday Indiana residents. Thoughtful leadership and responsiveness make a real difference at the local level, and I value your commitment to representing our district.

Thank you for your time and service to Indiana. I look forward to continuing to follow your work on behalf of Hoosier voters.

Sincerely,

 [your name]