Census amendment could hurt Western Kansas

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Tony Whisenant, Liberal

On Nov. 5 we will be voting on more than City Commissioners and School Board Members, there is a vote on whether to amend the Kansas Constitution. 

As it stands right now, the State must reapportion our population for redistricting our State Legislature from the United States Census to reflect where college students and military personnel actually live, but if the amendment passes — that will be no more. 

While getting rid of the reapportionment requirement might not change the population numbers for Western Kansas by much, Riley and Douglas County in Eastern Kansas will see dramatic increases in population not offset elsewhere, this could result in Kansas Legislative districts being pushed further East, weakening our voice in Western Kansas. 

In 2010 Southwest Kansas was under-counted by the United States Census. I know, I’ve seen the maps; so passing this amendment means that even if we are not under-counted this time, we might still lose, or at best, only hope to break even when it comes to representation in our State Legislature. 

When it comes to costs, the Kansas Secretary of State says we will save over $800,000 by passing this amendment, but to reapportion in 2010 cost less than $200,000 — something to think about.