Bureau of Legislative Research says detailed census data delayed until late September; prepares mapping tools

The Bureau of Legislative Research told the Senate State Agencies committee that Arkansas will retain four U.S. House seats but that the detailed state-level census data required to redraw districts is not yet available.

Michelle Davenport, the bureau's attorney assigned to redistricting, said the U.S. Census Bureau has completed national apportionment but has not released the local-level population files the state needs. She said the bureau is working under the working assumption that those files will be available by the Census Bureau's currently published date of Sept. 30.

Davenport said the bureau has acquired licenses for Citygate mapping software — the same platform selected by the state Board of Apportionment — and has preloaded practice data from the American Community Survey to train staff and test mapping workflows. She said three bureau staff have the licenses to produce draft congressional maps and that any member may request a draft map for review.

The bureau advised members that once a legislative or congressional map is approved by a member it can be converted into bill text and referred to the state agencies committee if the member elects to introduce it as legislation. Davenport also recommended members consult the board of apportionment's publicly available calendar and minutes (arkansasredistricting.org) for additional meeting dates and livestream information.

The committee did not take action; members asked for ongoing updates. Chair indicated committee meetings will be scheduled monthly beginning in August to coordinate ongoing redistricting work.