Legislative Redistricting Hearings To Be Held

A Kansas legislative committee begins a series of meetings this week to gather public opinion on redrawing the state’s political districts.

The first meetings take place Tuesday at Wichita State University and Hutchinson Community College followed by two more Wednesday in Salina and Manhattan.

The 2012 Legislature will draw new districts for the state’s 125 House seats, 40 Senate seats, four congressional districts and the 10 State Board of Education districts.

The new maps will reflect population changes based on the 2010 Census, which showed a continued migration from rural to urban areas near Wichita and in eastern Kansas.

Additional public meetings are scheduled Aug. 2 in Chanute and Pittsburg, with more to be announced in September and October.