After being delayed for several months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Census Bureau will release data used for drawing legislative districts next month (August 2021).
District 24 Senator Mary Duvall of Pierre is the chair of the South Dakota Senate Redistricting Committee. She says they have been doing some groundwork in anticipation of receiving the population numbers.
She says once the census numbers are released, the House and Senate Redistricting Committees will begin working through the data.
Duvall says committee members are working on ways to share the information with the public, including going on a “redistricting road show” the week of October 11.
According to 2020 US Census Bureau data released in April 2021, South Dakota’s population has grown to 886,667. The 8.9% increase since 2010 makes the South Dakota the 16th fastest growing state in the nation.
A majority vote in each chamber is required to pass a redistricting plan, which is subject to veto by the governor.
Public meeting dates for the Redistricting Committees so far are:
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Rapid City (Oct. 11 at 8am MT)
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Mission (Oct. 11 at 3pm CT)
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Mobridge (Oct. 12 at 8am CT)
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Aberdeen (Oct. 12 at 1pm CT)
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Watertown (Oct. 12 at 5pm CT)
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Sioux Falls (Oct. 13 at 2pm and 6pm)
Specific locations for each meeting have yet to be determined, but the public will be notified once details are known.
Constituents can send questions to sdredistricting@sdlegislature.gov.
South Dakota legislative district boundaries from 2010 census.
Image credit South Dakota Legislative Research Council.
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