With Republicans in the Kansas Statehouse and those running for governor calling more consistently for a special session to redraw Congressional boundary lines, perhaps as soon as next year, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says that step shouldn’t happen before the public has a chance to chime in.
The governor says she does not agree with redistricting at this time, especially when it’s based on “old data and a clearly partisan agenda.” She says new maps without new data would be unprecedented, so residents need to have a series of town halls across the state so they can give their thoughts. She also quoted then-House Speaker Ron Ryckman and current Senate President Ty Masterson’s past comments indicating town halls are needed under the normal redistricting conversations every decade after US Census data is finalized.
Kelly also says she will not call a special session for that purpose, so Republican leaders will need to file a petition involving a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.
