Redistricting has a major impact on many aspects of our lives: education, healthcare, the environment and, most importantly, the voices of the people.

New House and Senate district maps will shape our lives and our communities for the next 10 years.

“Fair maps are more likely to be achieved when the public is actively involved in the process," says LWVMO President Marilyn McLeod. “Legislative redistricting has a major impact on many aspects of our lives: education, healthcare, the environment and, most importantly, the voices of the people. The final maps will determine what district we live in, who represents us, and how resources are allocated for our communities for the next 10 years.”

The League has members scheduled to submit testimony at each of the upcoming public hearings for Missouri’s legislative redistricting commissions. People can submit written testimony at https://oa.mo.gov/budget-planning/redistricting-office/public-testimony. Here’s the schedule.

· St. Louis: Saturday, Oct. 16, Senate Commission Hearing and Thursday,October 21, House Commission Hearing, both at 10 am at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel

· Springfield:Monday, Oct. 18, House Commission hearing at 9 am, 18 Senate Commission Hearing at 1 pm, both at University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

· Kansas City: Tuesday, Oct. 19, House Commission hearing at 9 am, Senate Commission Hearing at 1 pm, both at Kansas City Marriott Downtown (Note: parking can be validated)

· Jefferson City: Thursday, Nov. 4, House Commission hearing in the Jefferson Building, 205 Jefferson St., time TBD

· Cape Girardeau: Tuesday, Nov. 9, House Commission hearing at 10 am, Drury Plaza

· Kirksville: Nov. 10, House Commission hearing at 10 am, location TBD

The League of Women Voters of Missouri is a nonpartisan political organization that was founded in October 1919 to educate and empower voters.

The League is asking for transparency in the process of drawing new House and Senate district maps. Click here or on the People Powered Maps image at right to see the list of commissioners. Contact Executive Director Jean Dugan at duganlwv@gmail.com or 314-961-6869 if you have any questions about testifying at these public hearings. To submit written testimony, go to https://oa.mo.gov/budget-planning/redistricting-office/public-testimony.

The commissions have until Dec. 23 to submit a tentative plan for both chambers with the Secretary of State’s Office and will then have until Jan. 23 to finalize their work. If the bipartisan panels cannot reach an agreement, it goes to a judicial panel. Those judges will have access to the testimony gathered at the Senate and House Redistricting Commission hearings.

McLeod explained the redistricting process recently on the “Radio Friends with Paul Pepper” program. Watch the video at . Click here for LWVMO’s position or here for an explanation of the difference between redistricting and gerrymandering from the ACLU.

ABOUT THE LEAGUE

What We Believe: The League of Women Voters believes in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

Vision:We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.

Mission:Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It works at the local, sate and national level to influence public policy through education and advocacy.

Click here for a news release about the officers elected at the 2021 annual convention. Click here for the bylaws for LWV of Missouri.

League of Women Voters of Missouri
8706 Manchester Road, Ste 104
St. Louis, Missouri 63144-2724
314-961-6869
lwvjointoffice@gmail.com

For more information, go to https:\\lwvmissouri.org.