There are two committees that are in charge of this process: the House Special Standing Committee on Redistricting and the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. Each panel has come up with its own version of a congressional boundary map.
House version [HB193]:
Senate version [SB264]:
My only concern is the new proposals put folks in Lafayette, Saline, Clay and Ray counties into the new 5th Congressional District, which is mainly Kansas City. There is a world of difference in the needs and mindsets of folks just a few miles away from the city limits of Kansas City, and I do not believe including these rural counties serves the intentions of either area.
In losing a congressional district, there has to be consideration given to ensuring an equal number of citizens is in each new district. I do not believe adding folks in rural Missouri will fit the bill. There has to be another way to make this map fair.
Once the Legislature has a map it agrees on, the plan then goes to the governor. If he vetoes it, and the Legislature does not override the veto, it will then be up to a court to make the final decision.
This is not an easy process. There are folks from all over with a vested interest in what happens with our congressional maps. This is something that has to be finished by the end of the current legislative session, so time is a factor. Also, the governor has two committees that will redraw the boundaries for Missouri’s Senate and House districts. Everything has to be decided before February, 2012, when filing for congressional seats will begin.
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