• What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the redrawing or adjusting of electoral district boundaries to account for population shifts and growth. This process is governed by Kansas Statute and requires that the districts are subject to alteration every 3 years to be sure that the districts are as compact and equal in population as possible.

• Who makes the changes to the districts?

The Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision and votes on the changes to the districts. Options have been prepared by a committee, taking into consideration established criteria, to assist the Board in the process..

• What are the criteria to be considered when redistricting?

When adjusting the districts the ultimate criteria is population equivalency; that is, the districts must be generally proportionate in population. They do not have to be mathematically equal but the representative population must be generally the same. Other criteria that are used to develop options for redistricting include:

1. Keep districts logical in configuration and as compact as reasonably possible;
2. Have districts generally representative of the County;
3. Recognize commonalities for representative areas;
4. Minimize sectioning of existing cities;
5. Recognize city, ward, or other definite boundaries;
6. Build in areas of future growth and population increases;
7. Maintain continuity to existing representation to extent practicable.

• Why is Johnson County redistricting?

Kansas law requires that the voting districts in all counties be as compact and equal in population as possible and requires the County to assess the districts every three years. If the districts are uneven in population the districts need to be redrawn to make them as equal as possible. Johnson County’s districts have become uneven in population due to growth in different areas and therefore, need to be redrawn.

• What are the current districts?

There are six districts in Johnson County. Click here to see a map of the boundaries.

• When was the last time Johnson County redistricted?

The Board adopted the current district boundaries by resolution in early 2002. They were reviewed but not changed in 2005.

• When will Johnson County adopt a new plan?

The plan will be adopted before the end of 2007 or early 2008.

• When will the new districts be effective?

The new districts will be effective when the Board adopts them by resolution. The first election that is scheduled is August 5, 2008.

• What district am I in?

Please click here to see the current map.

• How do I find out if I change?

Click here to see the proposed new districts and what may be changed.

• How does this affect me voting and my precinct?

Your voting location will not change as a result of this re-districting, although voting locations are subject to change in each election and likely will change for 2008 as the county prepares for the presidential election. This change will not be associated with, or impacted by, the redistricting. When voting, your specific county commissioner district may have changed and you may be voting for a different county commissioner race—with a different incumbent and different candidates--than you did previously.

• Does this affect other governmental districts?

No, this is a redistricting for Johnson County and the commissioner’s districts.

• When will I receive my new voter registration card?

The Election Office will not send out new cards because of this change. You will receive a reminder postcard before your next election. You also may check your individual information and polling location at any time at https://voter.jocoelection.org.