The U.S. Census Bureau is wrapping up its latest effort to count every person in the country - the count that the Constitution requires to take place every ten years. Around 72 percent of Americans mailed back their census forms.  Here in Arkansas, the census form return rate was 67 percent, and census workers have spent the summer months going door-to-door in an effort to make sure everyone gets counted.  Not only is the population data used to determine how much federal money goes to our schools, hospitals and other vital services in our communities,  the population numbers are also used to redraw the lines  for our U.S. Congressional districts and for our state legislative districts.

The Arkansas Legislature is charged with redrawing the state's congressional district lines to adjust to population changes in our state over the last decade.  The redistricting will take place during the 2011 legislative session.  The Arkansas Board of Apportionment adjusts the lines for the state's 100 House districts and 35 Senate districts.  The board consists of the governor, the attorney general, and the secretary of state. 

At a joint meeting this week, the House and Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committees received an overview of what to expect from the upcoming redistricting process.  Preliminary census results show Arkansas's adjusted 2010 population will likely be 2,889,450.  That's up from 2,673,400 in 2001, when lines were last redrawn.  An early estimate indicates the average population size of a House district once lines are redrawn will be 28,895, and the average size of a Senate district will be 82,556.  To ensure equal representation, the law says there cannot be more than 10 percent variance in population size between the districts.  

The Apportionment Board must adhere to strict criteria in the process of redistricting legislative districts. The goal is to create geographically compact, contiguous districts that are as equal in population as possible.  Though sometimes necessary, the board tries to minimize the splitting of cities and counties.  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects racial minorities from having their votes diluted within a district.  Also, there can be no drawing of lines to cater to political parties or other groups.

While the official census data won't be available until February 2011, the early numbers show parts of southern and eastern Arkansas have lost population.  That will likely result in fewer legislative districts in those parts of the state, with ones there expanding in geographic area.   However, areas in Northwest Arkansas, where the population has expanded, will probably add more seats, but the districts will shrink geographically.  It's the same trend we saw in 2001, when the lines were last redrawn. 

Once the Census Bureau hands over the official population data, the process will officially be underway, and the new legislative districts should be in place by September 2011. 

It's a lengthy, involved process, and one that might seem less pressing than some other legislative functions - balancing the state's budget, or debating and voting on the laws that will effect Arkansans' daily lives.  However, making sure these lines are drawn correctly will guarantee each and every Arkansan truly has an equal voice through their elected representatives, both in the halls of Congress, and at the state Capitol.