Lawmakers told redistricting could be legal minefield

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Efforts by state lawmakers to redraw congressional and legislative district lines based on new census data could easily end up in court. <br><br>``Redistricting in 2001 will be a legal

Friday, January 26th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Efforts by state lawmakers to redraw congressional and legislative district lines based on new census data could easily end up in court.

``Redistricting in 2001 will be a legal minefield for all states, not just Oklahoma,'' legal counsel Sara Kyte told the House Redistricting Committee on Thursday.

The Legislature's goal is to redraw congressional and state legislative districts by the end of the session on May 25.

The U.S. Census Bureau may deliver the population data that is necessary for redistricting as late as April 1.

Oklahoma was one of only nine states that were not sued over redistricting 10 years ago.

Kyte said redistricting litigation is more likely now because the political party split in the Legislature is much closer now than it was 10 years ago.

Democrats hold a 53-48 majority in the House, and a 30-18 majority in the Senate.

Also, Oklahoma is losing a congressional seat.

The committee may choose between using adjusted or unadjusted census data when redrawing the districts.

One set of data is statistically adjusted for what the Census Bureau believes are population undercounts or overcounts.

Legislative notes could be used as evidence in any court challenge.

``Don't write anything that you wouldn't want on a billboard on the Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City or the Broken Arrow Expressway in Tulsa,'' she said.

While the Legislature can redraw a district in such a way to protect the incumbent legislator or congressman, it cannot be a predominant factor. The Legislature is not allowed to dilute intentionally any minority votes.