Sec. 2.5. (a) This section applies to townships in a county containing a consolidated city.

(b) The legislative body shall adopt a resolution that divides the township into legislative body districts that:

(1) are composed of contiguous territory;

(2) are reasonably compact;

(3) respect, as nearly as reasonably practicable, precinct boundary lines; and

(4) contain, as nearly as reasonably practicable, equal population.

(c) Before a legislative body may adopt a resolution that divides a township into legislative body districts, the secretary of the legislative body shall mail a written notice to the circuit court clerk. This notice must:

(1) state that the legislative body is considering the adoption of a resolution to divide the township into legislative body districts; and

(2) be mailed not later than ten (10) days before the legislative body adopts the resolution.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (f), the legislative body shall make a division into legislative body districts at the following times:

(1) During the second year after a year in which a federal decennial census is conducted.

(2) Subject to IC 3-11-1.5-32.5, whenever the boundary of the township changes.

(e) The legislative body may make the division under this section at any time, subject to IC 3-11-1.5-32.5.

(f) This subsection applies during the second year after a year in which a federal decennial census is conducted. If the legislative body determines that a division is not required under subsection (b), the legislative body shall adopt an ordinance recertifying that the districts as drawn comply with this section.

(g) Each time there is a division under subsection (b) or a recertification under subsection (f), the legislative body shall file with the circuit court clerk of the county not later than thirty (30) days after the adoption or recertification occurs a map of the district boundaries:

(1) adopted under subsection (b); or

(2) recertified under subsection (f).

(h) The limitations set forth in this section are part of the ordinance, but do not have to be specifically set forth in the ordinance. The ordinance must be construed, if possible, to comply with this chapter. If a provision of the ordinance or an application of the ordinance violates this chapter, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions or applications of the ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. The provisions of the ordinance are severable.

(i) If a conflict exists between:

(1) a map showing the boundaries of a district; and

(2) a description of the boundaries of that district set forth in the ordinance;

the district boundaries are the description of the boundaries set forth in the ordinance, not the boundaries shown on the map, to the extent there is a conflict between the description and the map.

As added by P.L.6-1994, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.318-1995, SEC.1; P.L.122-2000, SEC.23; P.L.170-2002, SEC.149; P.L.230-2005, SEC.89; P.L.271-2013, SEC.53.