Oppose Mid-Decade Redistricting in Kansas

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed special legislative session aimed at redrawing Kansas' congressional maps. This mid-decade redistricting effort is not only unnecessary but also undermines the democratic process and the will of Kansas voters. Our current congressional maps are not scheduled for revision until after the 2030 census. The sudden push for redistricting, potentially as early as November, raises serious concerns about political manipulation. Laurel Burchfield from Kansas Fair Maps has highlighted that state legislators are facing pressure from Washington D.C. politicians to redraw maps for partisan gain, particularly targeting Johnson County's congressional seat. This proposed redistricting is a clear power grab that prioritizes political interests over fair representation. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids has rightly called out this move as following directives from Donald Trump rather than representing the interests of Kansans. It's crucial to remember that our electoral maps should reflect the will of the people, not serve the agenda of any political party or figure. Furthermore, this unnecessary special session comes with a significant cost to taxpayers. Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes has pointed out that $460,000 has already been appropriated from the state general fund for a redistricting special session that Kansans are not calling for. This is an irresponsible use of public funds, especially when there are more pressing issues facing our state. I urge you to stand against this untimely and unwarranted redistricting effort. Protect the integrity of our electoral process by ensuring that any changes to congressional maps occur only after the 2030 census, as originally scheduled. Our democracy functions best when voters choose their representatives, not when politicians choose their voters. Please prioritize the voices of Kansans over partisan interests and reject any attempts to call a special session for redistricting.