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."
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."
- Lynn Horsley, KCUR contributor
- Stephenie Smith, chair, Kansas City Redistricting Commission
