State to hold public hearing on redistricting Thursday in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- State Rep. John J. Diehl Jr., R-Town and Country, has outlined his schedule for receiving public testimony to help with redrawing Missouri's congressional districts.

Diehl, who chairs the House Special Standing Committee on Redistricting, released the schedule for his committee's public hearings to discuss redistricting. State Rep. Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff, a Republican, is a member of this committee.

One of the four hearings will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday in the administrative building at Three Rivers College. The other hearings will be in Blue Springs, Mexico, and St. Louis.

In addition to those announced hearings, the committee will have additional hearings in Jefferson City throughout the process. "Our goal is to have a fair and open process that utilizes the census data and the input we receive from the public," said Diehl. "There is no preconceived plan about how the districts will be drawn. We will look at the numbers and listen to the testimony and use that information to draw lines that ensure each Missourian is given adequate representation."

Missouri received initial 2010 census data in December that showed the state would be reduced from nine to eight congressional districts. The complete information received Friday will be used to create the new map of Missouri's congressional districts. In the House, Diehl has already filed HB 193, which establishes the basic format for dividing Missouri into eight Congressional districts based on the 2010 census data.

The Missouri General Assembly must draw and approve new congressional districts during the 2011 regular session to ensure proper filing in February 2012 for congressional district candidates.

Following the 2000 census, the average population in each of the nine congressional districts was 621,690. With the 2010 census figures and the elimination of one district, the average population in each of the eight new congressional districts will jump to 748,615.

District 8, which covers Southeast and south-central Missouri, gained 35,204 residents, or 5.7 percent, during the past 10 years and now has 656,894 people. As a result, the boundaries for District 8 will have to be expanded to add nearly 92,000 people. District 8, which includes 27 counties and part of Taney County, had the sixth highest gain among the current nine districts.

District 7, which covers southwest Missouri, had the largest gain of 100,064 residents or 16.1 percent and now has 721,754.

The second largest gain was 84,912, 13.7, percent in District 2, which is the suburban area west and north of St. Louis. District 2 now has 706,602 residents.

District 6 in northwest Missouri grew to 693,974, an increase of 72,284 or 11.6 percent. This was the third largest gain.

Placing fourth is District 9 in central and northeast Missouri. It grew to 684,101, an increase of 62,411 or 10 percent.

The fifth largest gain was in District 4 in west-central Missouri. The population is 679,375, an increase of 57,685 or 9.3 percent.

Districts 3 and 5 had slight gains of 12,196 and 3,561 while District 1 in St. Louis lost 34,621 residents, a reduction of 5.6 percent.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO

Mexico, MO

Blue Springs, MO

St. Louis, MO