Mcdaniel Proposes Start To Apportionment Process

While much attention has been focused on drawing new Congressional lines, the task of legislative redistricting is also at hand.

The Arkansas General Assembly will vote on the state’s four federal representatives, but a three-member panel will be responsible for realigning Arkansas’ 135 legislative seats.

The Board of Apportionment – which consists of Gov. Mike Beebe (D), Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) and Secretary of State Mark Martin (R) – will reshape 100 House seats and 35 Senate seats based on new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.  House districts must have 29,159 residents, while State Senate districts will be comprised of 83,311 citizens.

Today, McDaniel issued a letter to Beebe and Martin proposing an organizational meeting for 8:30 am on Wednesday, March 16 in the Old Supreme Courtroom at the state capitol.

Martin says that he’s ready to get started.

“I agree it’s an appropriate time to meet to lay out our plans for redrawing state house and senate lines.  We are ready to meet with the Governor and Attorney General to begin the process of ensuring equal representation for all Arkansas voters.  I also look forward to meeting with people across the state in an effort to receive public comment on this important process," Martin said.

His office launched a new web site this week – www.arkansasredistricting.org – to allow for public input and information distribution.

Matt DeCample, spokesman for Gov. Beebe, said Beebe’s office plans to attend the meeting on March 16.