<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3IsVvl_0wKJoc7I00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3IsVvl_0wKJoc7I00" width="1500" height="844" ></figure>About 18,000 Overland Park residents will become part of a different City Council ward in the new year.The City analyzes its population every two years to ensure that each ward has approximately the same number of residents.This year, the analysis determined a need to shift some precincts to new wards in order to ensure population equity among the City’s wards.How OP calculates ward equityWhen City staff began their analysis this summer, the City’s population was 207,990. The City uses both Census data and building permit data to determine a local population.In order to ensure each City Council member represents roughly the same number of residents, the ideal number of residents in each of Overland Park’s six wards is 34,665.Staff determined that wards 5 and 6 were above this ideal mean, while wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 were below it.In response, staff recommended moving one or more precincts from wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 into neighboring wards.Ward boundaries generally follow neighborhoods and major streets, ensuring neighbors are represented by the same elected officials.New boundaries take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The City will send postcards to all affected residents.Redistricting is a staff-led project, ensuring politics do not affect the movement of residents from one ward to another. Staff first consider options that equalize ward populations across the city, and then work to ensure sitting Council members continue to remain in the ward they were elected to represent.To learn more about this process, see a large-scale map of the new ward boundaries and see the staff’s analysis of the City’s population. You can also get to know your City Council members at opkansas.org/Council.</div></body>

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Population growth calls for ward boundary changes

About 18,000 Overland Park residents will become part of a different City Council ward in the new year. The City analyzes its population every two years to ensure that each ward has approximately the same number of residents. This year, the analysis determined a need to shift some precincts to...