Kansas Redistricting

Depending on the timing, a Supreme Court ruling that weakens Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination may lead to more states redrawing congressional maps before the 2026 midterms.

Kansas Republican leaders couldn't rally enough support this fall for a special session on redistricting. It's just one example of lawmakers pushing back on a new round of partisan gerrymandering.

In the summer, Texas drew new lines to help Republicans win in the midterm elections. Missouri followed suit. California countered this week. But even with Kansas backing off, Republicans might have an edge in the redistricting battle as it spreads nationally.

KCUR, Generation Listen and the Kansas City Public Library recently convened a community forum to explore the complex issue of redistricting in Missouri and Kansas. Up to Date host Steve Kraske moderated a panel and took questions from the audience, as experts and reporters addressed the practicality, constitutionality and legality of the plans.

The setback means passing new congressional maps will be difficult. However, the effort to make it harder for Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids to hold her seat will return next year.

Voters in Kansas and Missouri went to the polls yesterday to decide on a range of issues, including how many days kids should be in school and whether they should abandon their current form of government. Today, we bring you election results from across the metro.

Republican state lawmakers want to break up Johnson County to help defeat the one Kansas Democrat in Congress. Local officials say the state’s wealthiest and most populous county has benefited from remaining in a single congressional district.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said that enough Republican lawmakers signed on in his chamber to call a special session to consider gerrymandering the state's congressional map. It's not clear if the Kansas House has enough support yet, though.

Opponents fear that Kansas Republican lawmakers will break Johnson County into multiple Congressional districts in order to push out Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids. GOP leaders were at the White House this week after approving funding for a special session.

Kansas Republican lawmakers are circulating a petition for a special session to redistrict. The goal is to defeat the state's only Democrat in Congress.

The Kansas Senate president has been at the forefront of efforts to redraw the boundaries of the state's congressional districts, following hot on the heels of Missouri. It would be Republican lawmaker's second attempt in the last three years to push out Rep. Sharice Davids, the state’s only Democratic representative.

Republican leaders in the Kansas Legislature want to follow the lead of states like Texas and Missouri by gerrymandering the state's congressional maps to favor Republicans. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat who represents the state's 3rd district, says the idea of splitting up Johnson County is "ludicrous."