A Kansas House committee dominated by
conservative Republicans has approved a plan for redrawing the
boundaries of the state Senate’s 40 districts.
Many lawmakers believe the plan approved Monday on a 12-5 vote
will help conservatives wrest control of the Senate from its
moderate GOP leaders.
The House is expected to debate the proposal Wednesday.
It’s an alternative to a bipartisan redistricting plan approved
last week by the Senate. Lawmakers must redraw their districts to
account for changes in population over the past decade.
GOP conservatives argue they’re trying to make all 40 Senate
districts as close as possible to the ideal population of 71,000
residents and preserve Hispanic voting strength in southwestern
Kansas.
Critics of the plan say conservatives’ main concern is helping
challengers to moderate incumbent senators in GOP primaries.
