KENTUCKY — Now that the 2020 Census is complete, Kentucky will embark upon another round of redistricting which is the process in which lawmakers draw new boundaries for the legislature and the state’s six congressional districts. While the Secretary of State’s office does not provide any oversight of the redistricting process or drawing of boundary lines for the Commonwealth, Secretary Michael Adams says his office is a resource for members of the General Assembly during this process.
"So, I understand from chatter in the Capitol that the House map is in pretty good shape and ready to go. The Senate map is still underway. The congressional map is so underway. I anticipate that there will be calls by legislators and by leadership to the Governor to call them into special session in Nov. or Dec., and I agree with that, and here's the reason: Imagine having to file for an office in Jan., but the lines aren't drawn yet. You don't know if you live in a district or not. I really think it's in both parties interests to have all that ironed out. I don't think it favorites Republicans or Democrats. It's just good for the voters and good for the candidates to know they live in the district or not. How do you organize a campaign without that? So unfortunately, due to timing, the deadline to file to run for office is the first week of January. That's right when they come back into session. Even if they work on the maps first thing, it's pretty tough to get that done in just a few days. So I think it'd be better if they complete these maps in the fall and the Governor calls in the session and they pass those. I don't really know what's going to happen or not," explains Adams.
During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Secretary Adams shared his excitement about Kentucky's Nov. 2 special elections and how he considered the three races a dry run for the new state law, that goes into effect statewide in 2022.
"I'm really excited because this is the first implementation of our bill. This is the first election I guess since at least at 1991 with multiple days to go vote in person. The absentee ballot request and tracking portal all those things that work so well last year are now implemented. And so voters in those three districts will now have a chance to go to exercise their new rights under this bill. I'm excited. This is kind of a dry run for our new law goes into effect statewide next year and so hoping that will if there are any kinks, we'll see those in this election and work those out for next year," mentions Adams.
Complete registration statistics are available on the State Board of Elections website.