Political Science - News and Events

On Wednesday, Sept. 29, 6-7:30 p.m. CDT (7-8:30 p.m. EDT), Western Kentucky University Department of Political Science will host a Fair Maps Webinar with the League of Women Voters of Kentucky. This event is free and open to the public with registration required at lwvky.org.

Event host Dr. Saundra Curry Ardrey, WKU Department of Political Science and WKU Political Engagement Project, said, “Redistricting affects all of us, especially groups that are marginalized by political and socioeconomic institutions. We must let our representatives know where we stand and that we demand fairness as guaranteed in the Constitution.”

The LWVKY is hosting a series of Fair Maps Forums/Webinars across the state to share draft maps of potential legislative districts and seek public input on how the public could be better represented in those districts. 

As Kentucky state legislators begin to redraw district boundary lines, the League is encouraging citizens to share their ideas for more representative maps of voting districts. Regardless of ethnicity, zip code or interest, citizens need to be fairly represented in Frankfort and Washington.

LWVKY speakers Dee Pregliasco and Susan Perkins Weston will share how the boundaries can be drawn more fairly by using the same mapping software used by the state lawmakers to draft proposed boundaries. This presentation will include opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback so that all opinions may be taken into account.

LWVKY points out that, in the past, gerrymandering has been used to redraw district boundaries to benefit incumbents in their bid for re-election, or to unfairly enhance political preferences. New district lines need to be drawn to give each of our votes equal weight, each of our voices equal stature, and each of our communities equal access to the decision-making processes that make important decisions for us including funding for our schools, hospitals, and other essential services. 

“Since this redrawing of boundaries every ten years is so important to the way citizens are represented, it is imperative that the system be fair and open,” said LWVKY President Fran Wagner. “Regardless of any particular political party or interest group, the entire state benefits when redistricting is done fairly.”

All events will be livestreamed, with registration, and videotaped for later viewing, both at lwvky.org.

Additional events have been scheduled as follows. 

• Thursday, Oct. 14: Frankfort – 7-8:30 p.m. EDT - VIRTUAL
• Monday, Oct. 18: Louisville – VIRTUAL 6-7:30 p.m. EDT; for those IN PERSON 5:30-7:30 p.m. EDT, with Program beginning at 6. Lang House, 115 S. Ewing Ave., Louisville
• Thursday, Oct. 21: Lexington – 7-8:30 p.m. EDT - VIRTUAL
• Tuesday, Nov. 2: Northern Kentucky – 6:30-8 p.m. EDT– VIRTUAL
• Pikeville: Details to be posted soon

All events will be livestreamed.

For forum registration, information and updates visit lwvky.org or email info@lwvky.org.

Contact: League of Women Voters of Kentucky, 502-875-6481,  kentuckylwv@gmail.com

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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  As a nonpartisan body, the League takes action on issues but does not support or oppose candidates or parties.  The League supports diversity, equity and inclusion in membership and programming.