Local legislators invite public to redistricting town hall meeting

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and Representatives Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Dick Lowe, R-Amber, announced an opportunity for citizens in Grady and surrounding counties to be a part of Oklahoma’s redistricting process this week.  The three legislators will be helping host a town hall meeting in Chickasha on Thursday, December 10 to educate citizens on how the redistricting process works as well as gather public input.  The public meeting will be held in the Community Building at the Grady County Fairgrounds starting at 6 p.m.  It is the second of nine Senate meetings that will be held statewide along with nine House meetings.

Paxton, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, said it’s crucial that citizens come learn about the redistricting process and share their thoughts on how districts should be redrawn.

“The state legislature is constitutionally required to redraw legislative and congressional district lines every ten years based on U.S. Census population counts to ensure fair representation.  Oklahoma’s population has grown by more than five percent. However, while some areas have grown, others have seen their populations decline as people relocate,” Paxton said.  “This is an important task we want the citizens of Oklahoma to participate in as much as possible to ensure transparency and accountability as well as to allow them to share their ideas on the process. I want to encourage the citizens of Senate District 23 to come join us or participate virtually. These important meetings will help determine Oklahomans’ representation at the state and federal level for the next decade.”

The meeting will include an overview of the legislative redistricting process and guests will be allowed to ask questions and share their ideas on the process as well. Comments on redistricting can also be submitted by emailing the Senate at redistricting@oksenate.gov.  The town hall meeting will also be livestreamed on the Senate’s website at www.oksenate.gov and archived for later viewing.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Paxton: (405) 521-5537 and Lonnie.Paxton@oksenate.gov