2021 is important for Hoosiers because new census data will be used to redraw state and congressional legislative districts.

The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission is hosting virtual meetings to collect public testimony from Hoosiers on how best to redraw electoral district maps.

The first step is gathering public input from Hoosiers about criteria that should be used to draw electoral district maps.

The public is invited to join the conversation with regard to Congressional District 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Registration is required by visiting tinyurl.com/ypq2kam2. A registration screen will prompt entry of the registrant’s name and email address, and a Zoom link will be emailed to that address.

Testimony and publicly defined criteria will be shared with legislators before the redistricting process begins. Redistricting will impact federal and state legislative districts for the next 10 years.

The Leagues of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County, Brown County and South Central Indiana, Monroe County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Organization for Women and Reverse Citizens United are partnering in extending this invitation to all who reside in their shared Congressional District 9, which includes Jackson County.