State Redraws Legislative Districts

Before 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.

One of the biggest changes affects the former 93rd House District, represented by Republican Dwight Scharnhorst, who lives in Manchester. This area covered by the district, which used to include parts of Fenton, Eureka, Ballwin, Manchester, Kirkwood and Webster Groves, is now divided into five separate districts: Manchester in the 99th, Eureka in the 98th, Fenton in the 96th, Kirkwood in the 90th and the 89th to the north.

Calls to Scharnhorst’s Jefferson City office were not immediately returned.

At least 50 of the 163 House members have been shifted into districts already represented by another member, according to the St. Louis Beacon. 

Residents of Town and Country and Manchester now are divided into two Senate Districts, the 15th and 24th, rather than split among four districts, including the current two, the 7th and the 26th.

 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. Four of the districts have black majorities.

The House’s new plan shows an overall population difference of 7.8 percent between its largest and smallest districts. Sixteen of the districts have black majorities, and two districts have combined racial minority popultions.

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