Some lawmakers moving to stay in their district

(HUTCHINSON, Kan.) — More fallout from the state's new political boundaries. The redistricting is forced some lawmakers to move into new homes, to stay with their original district. It's happening in Hutchinson.

The First Congregational Church of Hutchinson has been on the corner of First and Walnut since 1911. It hasn't had a congregation for years, but soon it will be a home.

Representative Jan Pauls is moving in so she can stay in House District 102.

"I have to confess, I have not moved the cat over yet. We're kinda gradually moving things," Pauls said.

Pauls' former home is only a few miles away, but the new house district map shows it is now outside of her old district by a few blocks.

"If i had stayed in district 104, I had less than 5% of my current constituents in 104," Pauls said. "So that would have been a huge reeducation project."

She's already working to send out new political mailings to her new constituents, because she doesn't have time to gain their vote before the next election.

"There will actually be about 12,000 people that will be affected in the Reno County area," said Reno County Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager. "Thats out of about 41,000 voters."

Each one will be getting a post card in the mail explaining the change.

"I do think it is going to be very frustrating for voters," Pauls said.

Lawmakers expect to field more questions about redistricting from voters as we get closer to election day

Pauls will face Democrat Erich Bishop in the primary this August.

Kansas was the only state in the nation that could not decide district lines in the statehouse, and instead had to turn to federal judges to make a final ruling.

Representative Jan Pauls is moving so she can stay in house district 102.