Count US IN files public records request seeking information about mid-decade redistricting

Indiana nonprofit Count US IN filed a public records request under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) seeking written correspondence between the White House and Gov. Mike Braun’s office regarding mid-decade redistricting.

The request covers communications between August 1 and September 26, 2025, and specifically asks for records that reference federally funded programs, initiatives, projects or pending waivers that may have been tied to Indiana’s compliance with a map redraw.

The APRA request seeks to ensure that Hoosiers have access to information about whether federal resources are being used as political leverage in decisions about Indiana’s congressional boundaries.

It follows Gov. Braun’s recent comments on a local radio show: “If we try to drag our feet as a state on it, probably, we’ll have consequences of not working with the Trump administration as tightly as we should.” Braun later walked back his original remarks.

Asked whether the White House had told him Indiana would face negative financial consequences if the state didn’t call a special legislative session, Braun said no: “It’s just something that—why would you mess with the relationship where Indiana has been accruing a lot of benefits from it?”

In another interview, Braun seemed to portray lawmakers’ reticence to embrace mid-decade redistricting as playing by the rules: “I’ve been observing people that were hard-nosed simply because, I think, it’s a Hoosier mentality, just kind of stick with the rules, don’t do things out of the norm.”

“Hoosiers deserve to know what kind of pressure is being applied to state leaders and what’s at stake for our communities,” said Count Us IN founder Jalyn Radziminski. “Full transparency is the foundation of accountability, and we hope the Governor’s Office will be forthcoming about what Hoosier priorities may be held up or canceled if Indiana doesn’t cave to Washington’s whims.”

The request asks for all forms of written correspondence, including emails, text messages and written memoranda, between Governor Braun’s office and the White House during the identified time frame.

Under APRA, state agencies must acknowledge receipt of written requests within seven days.

ABOUT COUNT US IN

Count US IN is the first Indiana-based 501(c)3 non-partisan non-profit and movement whose mission is to uplift the voice of citizens and foster more inclusive and equitable political participation by encouraging a larger, more diverse voter turnout. We seek to educate and empower the community as well as show that our voices matter.