A handful of state officials heard from a handful of state residents on the Congressional redistricting effort during a combination-format meeting Tuesday.
People gathered at Emporia State’s Memorial Union, as well as Great Bend, Liberal and McPherson to meet with lawmakers and KLRD administrators, who connected with the different locations by WebEx. Residents also had the chance to provide testimony before the meeting if they chose.
Only three people spoke during the meeting, including Abe Lemus, a junior political science major at Emporia State University. He suggested an independent commission to redistrict the state.
Lemus also proposed a move for Lyon County, a longtime part of the First Congressional District, into the Second District — which covers eastern Kansas except for the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Also speaking was Ryan Sauter, a math major at ESU. He provided a mathematical model he says will offer a less biased way to set district boundaries.
This discussion comes as state lawmakers will tackle Kansas House and Senate district boundaries during the 2022 legislative session.
Residents who missed Tuesday’s meeting can still provide testimony by emailing redistricting@klrd.ks.gov or by calling 785-296-3181.
