The first of the legislative redistricting listening sessions this morning saw commenters specifically focus on one criticism: the fact the meetings were being held before Census numbers are released.
That included Manhattan State Representative Sydney Carlin.
Manhattan-area State Senator Tom Hawk noted that changes passed by the Legislature included a revamping of how students and military in his current district will be counted.
Some in attendance made it clear they expect the legislature to draw the new maps based on political matters and don’t want that to be the basis.
Linda Uthoff with the Manhattan/Riley County chapter of the League of Women Voters called on the committees to consider hearing from the public again after the Census numbers are made official.
The hearings continued with stops in Salina and Hays Monday and resume Tuesday with sessions in Colby, Garden City and Dodge City.
