State Redraws Legislative Districts

Before the November 2012 elections can start, all eyes are on the maps that determine who elects whom. This week, for only the second time in history, a judicial panel redistricted the maps for both the state Senate districts and state House of Representatives districts, affecting voters and politicians across the St. Louis area.

Mehlville and Oakville remain in the first Senate district currently represented by Jim Lembke (R-1), but instead of being spread across three House districts, Mehlville and Oakville will fit into one each—Mehlville in the 94th district and Oakville in the 95th. The area south of Interstate 270 and to the west of 55 will be in the 96th district, rather than the 97th.

The area is currently split into three districts, with District 85 Rep. Cloria Brown (R) representing Mehlville and parts of Affton, District 100 Rep. Marsha Haefner (R) representing Oakville, and District 97 Rep. Gary Fuhr (R) representing parts of Oakville and the unincorporated area west of Interstate 55, south of 270. 

State representatives carry two-year terms, so if representatives want to continue representing a specific area, they will have to run for that new district next November when the redistricting maps go into effect. 

following the census. Missouri’s population increased by 7 percent to nearly 6 million people, leading to shifts in the 34 Senate districts and 163 House districts.

The Senate’s new district map has an overall population difference of 7.46 percent between the largest and smallest districts, according to the appellate apportionment commission. The House’s new plan shows an overall population difference of 7.8 percent between its largest and smallest districts. 

To find more about your new districts, check out the state’s interactive map, complete with instructions.