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SCR 1618

Proposing amendments to article 10 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to establish requirements for reapportioning congressional, state senatorial, state representative and board of education districts and prohibit the reapportionment thereof except when required by the constitution of the state of Kansas or when ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cindy Holscher

Kansas constitutional amendment restricting legislative district reapportionment to constitutionally-mandated or court-ordered changes, limiting partisan gerrymandering discretion.

Died in Committee
#constitutionalamendments(kansas) #redistricting #resolutions
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Bill Summary · SCR 1618

Legislative bill overview

SCR 1618 proposes a constitutional amendment to Kansas that would restrict when legislative and congressional districts can be redrawn. The bill would limit reapportionment to only situations mandated by the state or federal constitution or ordered by courts, effectively preventing the legislature from redrawing districts for partisan advantage between census cycles.

Why is this important

Reapportionment—the redrawing of electoral districts—is a consequential process that directly affects political representation and electoral outcomes. This amendment would constrain the legislature's ability to manipulate district boundaries (gerrymandering), which has been used to entrench political power and reduce electoral competitiveness. The change would establish more predictable rules around a process that currently operates with significant discretion.

Potential points of contention

  • Partisan disagreement: The party controlling the legislature benefits from discretionary reapportionment power; this amendment would limit that advantage, creating resistance from whoever holds power
  • Court involvement concerns: By relying on court-ordered reapportionment as a primary trigger, the amendment delegates significant power to the judiciary, raising separation-of-powers questions
  • Emergency situations: The bill doesn't clearly address how to handle reapportionment needs arising from unexpected demographic shifts, population changes, or constitutional developments between census periods

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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