Sen. Dave Wallace (R-Leachville), who represents District 22, said the Census numbers will require some redistricting. He said each Senate district should have 86,000 to 90,000 people with each House seat representing 28,000 to 30,000 people.
Currently, the redistricting can be done no earlier than Sept. 30 and no later than Dec. 31.
“We are hoping to have it done in late October or early November,” Sen. Wallace said. “This will not only affect the Senate and the House, it will affect the four Congressional Districts as well. It should not affect the city positions but it will have an effect on the quorum courts.”
In the final count, Mississippi County lost 5,795 people (the 2010 Census showed 46,480 residents); Poinsett County lost 1,618; Craighead County added 14,788; Greene County added 3,646; Crittenden County lost 2,789 and Cross County lost 1,037.
Sen. Wallace went on to say in District 55 (Rep. Monte Hodges) lost 5,500 people and District 54 (Rep. Johnny Rye) lost 1,250 people. District 53 (Rep. Jon Milligan) added 4,300.
“Manila, Leachville and Monette all showed growth,” Senator Wallace said.
Manila added 340 people; Leachville almost 50 and Monette an increase of five.
Cities and counties are alloted $2,200 per person per year. When asked if the census will affect school boards, Sen. Wallace said there is a yes and no answer. The census will not effect any school boundary lines but there is an old ruling that if a school district has more than 10 percent minority populaiton, school board members can no longer be elected at large but must be elected by wards.