State Redistricting Maps are Released

From the desk of Senator David Pearce

Last week, the Appellate Apportionment Commission released its final maps for the redistricting of Missouri’s House and Senate districts. Many are left confused and wondering how these final boundaries were drawn and the impact this map will have on constituents.

Having been a member of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting to redraw the U.S. Congressional districts, I can appreciate the choices that have been faced by both the original bi-partisan committees that were appointed by the governor to address this issue, as well as the Appellate Apportionment Commission, to which the task was handed when the two original committees could not come to a consensus.



I had the opportunity to testify in front of the commission as to the necessity of keeping communities and counties together in the new legislative districts. It would appear that my testimony to keep counties intact and towns whole fell on deaf ears as both Cass and Johnson counties were split in the state Senate map.

The fact is that, under the new maps, many communities will have divided representation, making common decisions for the community difficult. Elections and voting processes will certainly be more complicated, with two sides of a single town potentially voting on different projects and leadership.

The boundaries of the 31st Senatorial District, which I will continue to serve for the next year, have drastically changed, with the entire northeast section of Johnson County being moved into another district. The purpose behind this shift was to keep an equal number of constituents in each district. I understand the basic idea. My concern is that those portions, those bites out of established communities, will face difficult elections in the future because of non-cohesive representation.

As a result of these maps, I will not be a resident of the new 31st Senatorial District, but will be a part of the 21st District. However, I will continue serving the constituents of the current 31st District until a new senator is sworn in to that seat in January 2013. My job remains to represent the people who elected me to this position, those who believe in my abilities in the Capitol and depend on me to perform the duties I have vowed to undertake. I remain dedicated to this task, no matter how the boundaries of this district fluctuate.

If you would like to view the new Senate and House redistricting maps for yourself, the new maps can viewed on the Office of Administration’s redistricting website at www.oa.mo.gov, click on Budget & Planning, and then on Redistricting Office.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.

Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.