US House Redistricting: Kentucky

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The Kentucky Supreme Court has struck down the legislative redistricting maps.

And here is the ruling itself, for those curious enough to read it.

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Let's suppose Republicans win complete control of the Kentucky legislature (and there's a good chance of this actually happening), in time for a do-over of redistricting of the legislature in accordance with the wishes of the state Supreme Court.

What would the maps look like for both houses?  

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This is from a couple of weeks ago, but thanks to a lawsuit filed by Northern Kentucky residents, legislators (even House Republicans) are finally moving to finish up redistricting:

Lawsuit Gets Lawmakers Moving on Redistricting

05/24/13 at 1:04pm by Scott Wartman

As state leaders begin to respond to the federal lawsuit filed by 12 Northern Kentucky residents over redistricting, lawmakers remain optimistic they can reach a solution before November.

Federal Judge William Bertelsman has sent to the chief district judge the request for three-judge panel that could draw the political boundaries if lawmakers cannot.

All states must do redistricting every 10 years so political boundaries match population shifts reflected in the U.S. Census, and Kentucky is one of only two states–the other being Maine–that doesn’t have an approved map for its state legislative districts.

Calls for the General Assembly to complete redistricting have increased since April 26 when Northern Kentucky residents filed suit against most of state leadership to finish redistricting.

They want redistricting done before November so potential candidates for the 2014 election can meet the one-year residency requirements to live in a district. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a similar suit a few weeks later.

At stake for Northern Kentucky is additional representation in the General Assembly for Boone County, which gained population in the past 10 years by 38 percent.

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From a few days ago:

Kentucky House Republicans offer redistricting plan ahead of special session

Written by Joseph Gerth
The Courier-Journal
Aug. 8, 2013

FRANKFORT, KY. — The state House Republican Caucus on Thursday introduced its own redistricting plan in an effort to head off a Democratic proposal they say could be punitive to the GOP.

The GOP House plan “is constitutional, is legal, and is fairer for all involved than any that we have seen recently,” said Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown.

Additionally, he said the plan would save the state $1.5 million because it doesn’t split as many precincts as past Democratic plans, which he said is expensive for county clerks, who administer elections.

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The Kentucky House has passed the modified redistricting bill, and it is now on its way to the Senate for a vote on Friday.

How badly will Republicans be affected in the House?  It is currently split 55D:45R.   

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With Governor Steve Beshear's signature, the redistricting plan is now law.