Oklahoma legislative redistricting maps to be redrawn based on most recent census data

Oklahoma lawmakers will go back to the drawing table to craft new legislative redistricting maps based on the most recent census data. 

Although legislators and Gov. Kevin Stitt approved House and Senate redistricting maps in the spring, U.S. Census Bureau data released in August shows some of the districts that were drawn based on population estimates have either too many or too few residents. 

Already planning on holding a special session to approve new maps for Oklahoma's five congressional districts, lawmakers also will have to approve new legislative maps in an upcoming special session. 

Under the newly drawn legislative maps, the Oklahoma City metropolitan area was set to gain legislative seats due to local population growth. 

Related:Here's how much Oklahoma City has grown over the last decade, according to the 2020 Census

When drawing legislative districts based on population estimates, lawmakers allowed for a 5% deviation in population.

Each Senate district was drawn to include about 81,935 residents and each House district included about 38,939 Oklahomans. The deviation allowed for either 2.5% less or more population in each district. 

According to redistricting coordinator Quyen Do, 63 of 101 House districts contained either too many or too few residents. On the Senate map, the same was true for 30 of 48 districts, redistricting director Keith Beall said at a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday. 

Related:What to know about Oklahoma’s redistricting process as Census delays create complications

The Oklahoma Legislature was constitutionally required to pass new legislative maps by the end of the 2021 legislative session, which occurred before the Census Bureau had released final population data that states needed for redistricting. 

No date has been announced for a special session to be called by the governor, but it likely will be in November. 

For more information on redistricting in Oklahoma, visit oksenate.gov/redistricting or okhouse.gov/publications/redistricting.aspx.