Senator David Pearce appointed to Senate Select Committee on Redistricting

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Senator David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) was recently appointed to the newly created Senate Select Committee on Redistricting by Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph). The committee is charged with performing all duties necessary for the General Assembly to prepare for its role in the 2010 Decennial Census, which involves determining Congressional redistricting to reflect changes in shifting populations.

"The drawing of Congressional districts is a huge responsibility with potentially enormous repercussions if done incorrectly," Sen. Pearce said. "Districts must be drawn as equally and fairly as possible to ensure that every Missourian's vote counts as it should."

In Missouri, Congressional redistricting is the responsibility of the Legislature. The task of redrawing the state's 34 Senatorial districts and 163 House districts is assigned to two bipartisan commissions appointed by the governor.

The U.S. Census forms will be mailed to households beginning in March 2010. Census-takers will continue to collect census data from those who do not return their census forms through July. By law, the Census Bureau must deliver population data to the President of the United States in December for reapportionment. Also by law, the Census Bureau must complete delivery of redistricting data to states by March 2011.

The Legislature must draw and approve new Congressional districts during the 2011 regular session, or face a special session, to ensure proper filing in February 2012 for Congressional district candidates.

"The Legislature's role in Congressional redistricting is an important one, and the fact that we are looking down the road and knowing that we need to prepare for this is encouraging," Sen. Pearce said. "With a census occurring only once every 10 years we need the time to do this right. I look forward to serving on this committee and being directly involved in the redistricting process."

Other senators named to the committee include: Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville), Sen. Brad Lager (R-Savannah), Sen. Victor Callahan (D-Independence), Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis).

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