Johnson County commissioners direct staff, Haystack DNA to draft new redistricting maps

Johnson County commissioners voted unanimously to direct county staff and their consultant, Haystack DNA, to produce draft redistricting maps using the criteria and guidance discussed at a committee of the whole meeting.

The decision, moved by Mike Kelly, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, and seconded by Commissioner Allen Brand, passed 7-0. The commission asked staff and Haystack to prepare maps that follow the state-required criteria and the optional guidance discussed at the meeting, especially on how to treat communities of interest and the timing of when voters would next vote for commissioner seats.

Andrew Dreschler, president of Haystack DNA, said Kansas law requires counties to review districts every three years and that the county’s current maps show about an 11% population deviation between districts. “Kansas State law requires that the county reviews every 3 years to determine if the districts are still, balanced,” Dreschler said, explaining the legal basis and the consultant’s role in drawing and evaluating maps.

County staff and Haystack outlined a timeline that aims to have draft maps prepared for the Board of Elections by August or, at the latest, September so election preparations can proceed. Key steps include draft-map presentations at a Board meeting in May, a series of public input sessions in early June (one in each of the six commission districts plus a virtual meeting), and potential adoption steps in July with finalization in late July or August.

The consultant will publish draft maps and project materials on the county website and make Dave’s Redistricting App available so residents can view draft maps, create and submit their own maps, and provide written comments. Dreschler said the tool will be preloaded with the county’s population projections from the AIMS department and the 2024 voting precincts; staff will also post FAQs and tutorials.

Commissioners debated optional criteria. Several favored keeping cities whole where possible: “For me, I would like to see the utmost priorities keeping, you know, the city whole as much as possible,” Commissioner Fast said. Commissioner Hansler urged map lines that follow roads to reduce voter confusion: “...district boundaries follow roads,” Hansler said. Commissioner Burr noted a practical limit: “Overland Park as a city exceeds the cap of what we're trying to keep each district,” and said some cities will necessarily be split because of population requirements.

Commissioners also flagged language sensitivity around the term “disenfranchise.” The chair and several commissioners discussed substituting different phrasing to avoid public misunderstanding about the effect of moving voters between districts; one suggestion was to use a more positive framing such as “enfranchise” when explaining the timing impacts on voters’ next election. Several commissioners supported limiting the number of draft maps; multiple speakers recommended three draft maps as reasonable for public review.

The motion directing staff and Haystack to draft maps pursuant to the proposed criteria and guidance passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor, none opposed. Staff said it will return to the board with draft maps, a public comment summary and supporting documents on the timeline presented.

What’s next: Haystack and county staff will publish draft maps and project materials to the county website, hold the scheduled district and virtual public meetings in early June, and return to the board with maps for further direction and potential adoption in July.