Special Session Begins To Approve New Legislative Districts

A special session is now underway at the state capitol to approve Oklahoma's state and federal legislative districts for the next decade.

Each congressional district will consist of about 800,000 people. There have been allegations of gerrymandering as the competitive Fifth District will favor Republicans if approved as drawn.

"It's disappointing that they would shove these voters into a place where they don't have a lot in common probably with their member of Congress," said State Rep Emily Virgin Minority Leader (D-Norman)

"It's very important to me as the speaker of the house that our process ensures fairness and transparency and engagement from the public," said State Rep Charles McCall | Speaker of the House (R-Atoka)

The special session is expected to last about 5 days and the governor must sign off on the new districts.