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Commission submits plan for redrawing district lines in Kansas City

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A large crack runs through a Northland sidewalk where infrastructure concerns have become part of the redistricting conversation.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
A large crack runs through a Northland sidewalk where infrastructure concerns have become part of the redistricting conversation.

The once-a-decade review of city council districts offers some drastic changes. The council has until the end of December to approve a final map.

Kansas City has grown by nearly 50,000 people since 2011. Current council districts have widely differing populations and some areas of the city have seen more growth than others.

"Part of redistricting is making sure that all six districts have equal population and right now they're way out of whack," observed reporter Lynn Horsley. "This whole redrawing process is meant to equalize that but... there's a lot of change and many people disagree about the current top recommendation for how that should happen."

The proposed redistricting map would see Kansas City North divided horizontally and the Country Club Plaza become part of the 6th District.
Kansas City Redistricting Commission
The proposed redistricting map would see Kansas City North divided horizontally and the Country Club Plaza become part of the 6th District.

For those in Kansas City North, this process has been especially stressful as there is disagreement over whether to keep two vertical districts, as the Northland is now configured. or change it to two new horizontal districts.

"I would say the overarching theme for this redistricting was representation. And we heard in great numbers community members," said Redistricting Commission Chair Stephenie Smith who reminded listeners, "The hope for redistricting is equality in the political process."

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