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LWVK Redistricting Position Briefing

After the 2022 round of redistricting, the Kansas League decided to update it’s position on redistricting. A committee of League members from across the state created a draft position and presented it to a briefing for League members on January 12, 2023. A recording of the briefing is posted below. The proposed new position will be considered by local Leagues prior to final action at the April 22, 2023 LWVK convention.

 

Redistricting in Topeka

The City’s Council district boundary lines are redrawn every 10 years following the U.S. Census to rebalance the number of residents in each district.  As required by the City’s Home Rule Charter, the Council appointed a Redistricting Commission which recommended a new district plan to the Council on September 1. The Council must adopt new districts by the end of 2022.  It may accept the recommendation of the Commission or adopt a different district plan.

  • The League presented testimony at the Commission’s single public hearing on August 18. 
  • More information about the Redistricting Commission and its activities is available on the Topeka City website.

2012 – 2022 Council Districts

Tips: 

  • Click on the ‘x’ in the upper right corner of the map inset to close the “Find My Council Mem . . .” popup and see more of the district map.
  • Click on the “layer list” the 4th icon from the right in the toolbar at the top of the map to add or remove layers:  NIAs, road labels, council districts 

Based on the 2020 Census, Topeka City Council Districts need to be balanced to achieve the equal population goal set out in the City Municipal Code, Section A2-23.

The City Council has been briefed on the requirements and the Commission of Electors has been appointed.  Stay up to date with activities of the Commission including proposed district maps.

The table below shows the districts with 2020 population and the deviation of each from the ideal population of 14,064. Table data source: City of Topeka, Redistricting Commission — Current Population  7/5/2022

Current City Council Districts

 

 

The Topeka Redistricting Commission consists of 9 members appointed by the sitting City Council members.  One Commissioner is appointed from each of the current districts.  The Council will consider proposed district boundary line changes and recommend revisions to the City Council by September 30, 2022.  The City Council may accept or reject the recommendations of the Council and has the ultimate authority to establish district boundaries.  After it has submitted its recommendation to the City Council, the Commission will cease to exist.  Learn more about the Commission and its activities on the city website.

 

Useful statistics:

  • Topeka 2020 population126,587

  • Ideal district population (1/9th of pop) = 14,065

  • Allowable pop range +/- 2.5% ; 352 = 2.5% of ideal

  • Minimum district pop.= 13,714

  • Maximum district pop. = 14,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District No.

2020 pop by dist

% deviation from ideal

# deviation from ideal

1

13,098

-6.9%

(966)

2

 13,129

-6.7%

(935)

3

 14,190

0.9%

126

4

14,140

-0.5%

76

5

14,388

2.3%

324

6

13,907

-1.1%

(157)

7

14,392

2.3%

328

8

14,693

4.5%

629

9

14,642

4.1%

578

 

Redistricting in Kansas

 

2022 Congressional Districts

 

Kansas Congressional Map 2022 "Ad Astra 2"

More information about the 2022 Kansas congressional districts can be found here.

2022 Legislative Districts  

 

House Districts

Image of Kansas House Districts created by 2022 Legislature

 

Senate Districts

 

Redistricting Beyond 2022