Lawmakers prepare for thorny problems of redistricting in 2011

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol news bureau
• Published: Aug 17, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Though it is still more than two years away, Louisiana legislators already are gearing up for the once-a-decade ritual of redrawing the districts for state and federal elections.

The population count used for redistricting hasn’t been done yet, but already lawmakers believe Louisiana faces the loss of a U.S. congressional seat. 

Also, the New Orleans region could lose up to four state representatives and one state senator.

In the mix is a decision in a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that could have a dramatic impact on the drawing of election district lines in terms of protecting minority voting strength.

Then there’s the inevitable political jockeying that comes when the lines of sitting legislators’ districts change or disappear entirely. And all of that work must be done in short time frame.

“There are all kinds of pitfalls out there that have to be dealt with,” said House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, who has been attending national meetings to get up to speed on redistricting.

Every 10 years, the federal government counts the nation’s population. The U.S. Constitution requires each state to use that data to redraw election districts to reflect population shifts since the last census.

In early 2011, state lawmakers will receive the detailed data from the 2010 census that allow them to draw the new district maps. 

The state holds legislative elections later that year using the new districts.

The state compares 2000 district information with new population data to see where changes need to be made, said state Senate Secretary Glenn Koepp, who has been involved in reapportionment since 1980. 

“We know we have lots of changes because of population shifts that occur,” he said. 

The new maps must be approved by the Legislature, the governor and the U.S. Justice Department between February and candidate sign-up in August.

Choosing who loses